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"In Beethoven's Trio in E-Flat Major, Opus 1, No. 1, the [Gemini Piano Trio] displayed an almost uncanny musical closeness, perhaps because the violinist and pianist are brother and sister, and the pianist and cellist are husband and wife. "Ensemble attacks were precisely coordinated, as in the briskly paced finale. . . . the tightly cohesive treatment made the musicians seem like mind readers, anticipating each other's every move." -- The San Diego Union-Tribune
". . . they played with an excellent sense of implicit accord." -- World Journal (Chinese Edition)
"The trio performs very well as a unit. They take any spare moments in a particular piece to make eye contact with one another while keeping the music flowing as a collective work, rather than a dispersed combination of severe talents. Frequently the performers would smile at one another in a jubilating gesture that seemed to indicate a love for the music as well as the performance. . . ." -- Music Monthly
"The Gemini showcased beautiful ensemble work as melodies were tossed from instrument to instrument, and the sound was often richer and fuller than what seemed possible from only three instruments. The Gemini completed its program with three movements form the familiar Brahms Trio in B Major, Op. 8, quite a contrast to the distinctly modern Ives. Movement I was rich and sonorous with "con moto" a plenty, while III, the Adagio, was delivered with elegance and serenity. The ensemble playing--togetherness--was commendable in this slow third section. . . .The Gemini was indeed together for this performance, with a beautiful blend of sound and shading of dynamics. The echo effects achieved by the cellist were wonderful. Movement IV, the Allegro, was also delivered with wonderful balance and ensemble, and the audience rewarded the Gemini with prolonged and warm applause for its efforts." --Yellow Springs News, OH
". . . a truly moving performance." -- Washington Chinese News
"The high point of the evening was an electrifying performance by the Gemini Piano Trio. . . . Their reading of the Shostakovich Piano trio in E minor showed maturity and command beyond their years. From the riveting opening harmonics played by cellist Benjamin Myers to the dramatic and intense climaxes within the second and fourth movements, The Gemini Piano trio displayed virtuosity, control, careful attention to phrasing, bowing, intonation, and dynamics that one hears at the highest level of artistic performance." -- The Deerfield Valley News, VT
". . . vivid and colorful performance of a trio by Charles Ives amply demonstrated their excellent technical acumen and lively appreciation of Ives' stylistic quirks. Their songful, sensitive presentation of two movements of the Brahms Piano Trio, Op. 8 had a compelling romantic aura and in the Scherzo, a lightness of spirit put forth with sparkling clarity and accurate intonation and phrasing." --The Carmel Pine Cone, CA
"To say that their performance of the Brahms could have been given by any one of several dozen well-trained, prize-winning, enthusiastic chamber groups of young virtuosos (we seem to have an embarrassing abundance of them these days) is not to denigrate it one bit. They turn in a crisp, fresh, vigorous, moving rendering of the Op. 8 Trio. The players tackle the first two movements with great intensity and concentration. The third, slow movement is firm and eloquent, without a touch of hurry or carelessness in phrasing - and yet it does not sound studied or over-rehearsed. There is an admirable balance between confidence, polished technique, and impulsive, romantic ardor in this performance. I'd prefer a committed, fresh performance by a young group like this any day over a tired, routine run-through by the most famous established musicians. Even so, the Gemini interpretation is not going to unseat the catalog's "standard" recordings of this work - Beaux Arts (Philips), Stern-Istomin-Rose (Sony) - or the ripe, mature, moody Borodin Trio (Chandos), but I don't see it as inferior in any way to the vigorous, exuberant, rather shallow Fontenay Trio (Teldec) or the perfectly mainstream traversal by the K-L-R Trio (Vox). These players (Hsiu-Hui Wang, piano; Sheng-Tsung Wang, violin; Benjamin Myers, cello) bring a verve and commitment to the Ives that makes the piece almost tolerable - enough to listen to more than once. Recorded sound is excellent: clear, firm, rich, and vibrant. If the Gemini Trio passes through your locale, take them in by all means. And buy one of their discs. I don't think you'll be disappointed." -- American Record Guide 1999
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