Moto Continuo, New Works for Piano Trio and Solo Cello, John A. Carollo, etc., Trio Casals

The formidable Trio Casals give us Moto Continuo: New Works for Piano Trio and Solo Cello (Navona 6003), a series of six worthy pieces in modernist and neo-classic zones. There is Robert Fleisher's solo cello piece "Ma Mere," based on Debussy, well played by Ovodiu Marinescu. The rest are piano trios with some very lively modernity.

John A. Carollo's "Piano Trio No. 1" has some excellent advanced, integral part writing that stays in the mind and fills us in on his latest chamber music. We hear contemporary neo-classic music of great interest in Diane Jones' "Three Songs." We get some serious contrapuntal writing on Osias Wilenski's "Variations for Trio" and Nicholas Anthony Asciotti's "Adirondack Tableau."

Brian Noyes' "Piano Trio Op. 38" concludes the program with a moody, compelling work that has an almost orchestral fullness to it.

Trio Casals makes it all come alive with genuine artistry and superb interpretive skills. Moto Continuo is a winner on all fronts. It should be heard by anyone interested in experiencing some of the latest superior chamber music from the modern zone. Encore!