Amazon.co.uk Review
The Ahn Trio's second EMI disc is a disappointment. The sisters have chosen a populist repertoire--Piazzolla, Nyman and David Bowie--for their violin, cello and piano ensemble. But, torn between the serious conservatoire and the frivolous fashion house, they have landed in no-man's land. Nyman's "The heart asks pleasure first" (from
The Piano) sounds dated. David Bowie's and Pat Metheny's slushy "This is not America" is what results when pop musicians get above themselves and start to believe they can satisfy more demanding ears than those of mere head-banging art students. I cannot believe the three, who played Dvoràk, Suk and Shostakovich on their debut album, did not grow bored recording most of the 10 tracks. OK, so the disc is not wholly dull. Three of the tracks belong to the 19-year-old Leonard Bernstein's Piano Trio with its beautifully simple pizzicato second movement. The opener--Henji Bunch's Concerto for Piano Trio and Percussion--is the best track. It cracks along like a Mardi Gras house party. Some people rashly buy a disc after hearing just one track. This is for them. --
Rick Jones