The Poulenc Trio

Biography

Irina Kaplan Lande, piano

Alexander Vvedenskiy, oboe

Bryan Young, bassoon

The Poulenc Trio has rediscovered and redefined piano-wind chamber music for the 21st century.

In a recent review, the New York Times praised the Trio for its “elegant rendition” of Piazzolla’s Tangos. The Washington Post said the trio “does its namesake proud” in “an intriguing and beautifully played program” with “convincing elegance, near effortless lightness and grace.” The group has been called “virtuosos of classical and contemporary chamber music” in one profile for Russian television.

The Trio is committed to commissioning, performing and recording new works from contemporary composers. Since its founding, the Trio has greatly expanded the repertoire available for the oboe, bassoon and piano, with more than 20 new works written or arranged for the group, including three triple concertos for Trio and full orchestra. The Trio has also made a commitment to explore and promote musics that reflect its members’ African, Asian, Eastern European and Jewish roots.

The Trio launched a pioneering concert series called Music at the Museum, in which musical performances are paired with museum exhibitions, with special appearances from guest artists and curators. As part of the series, the Trio has collaborated with the National Gallery in Washington DC, the Walters Art Museum and Baltimore Museum of Art and the Hermitage State Museum in Russia. Guest artist collaborators have included violinist Hilary Hahn, the Thibaud Trio of Berlin, soprano Hyunah Yu, and clarinetists Alexander Fiterstein, Anthony McGill and David Shifrin.

Poulenc Trio’s original mixed-media projects are extensive, and include work with filmmakers Elizabeth and Alden Phelps for Trains of Thought, Guggenheim-winning poet Lia Purpura for Creation, and Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) students for Yiddish Lexicon.

The Trio is deeply engaged in musical and educational outreach programs, including Poulenc & Snacks, an informal performance and residency series for younger audiences around the United States. The Trio regularly conducts masterclasses, with recent engagements at the University of Ohio, San Francisco State University, Florida State University and the University of Colima in Mexico.

In review of Trains of Thought, the Trio’s latest release on the Delos label, MusicWeb International praised the Trio’s "highly accomplished playing [which] brings out the humor, wit and occasional touches of solemnity and sentimentality, playing in a refreshingly direct and forthright manner.” The Trio’s prior album, Creation, debuted at #4 on Apple Music’s iTunes Classical Music playlist and garnered high praise from the American Record Guide for the group’s technique and expressive range. 

www.poulenctrio.org