Daniil Trifonov reviews

To celebrate his own 70th birthday, violinist Gidon Kremer has recruited the much-acclaimed pianist Daniil Trifonov and cellist Giedré Dirvanauskaité, a regular partner in Kremerata Baltica projects, to record Rachmaninov’s Piano Trios.

Besides being among the most technically exacting challenges that a pianist can take on, Liszt’s Transcendental Studies are also major statements of musical poetry. It’s a reflection on today’s level of pianism that both these players are entirely on terms with the technical aspect. As Liszt ultimately intended, you’re given the impression that even the near-fiendish difficulties aren’t that difficult really: any sense of this being an issue has been left behind and, indeed, transcended.

Daniil Trifonov’s zoom to fame, underpinned by three major competition prizes in 2010-11, might look almost too impressive for comfort – but it seems to be justified. Aged only 23, his trademarks include an extraordinary, inspired intensity mingled with a veritable flood of insight and imagination. These two CDs, first issued separately, were recorded respectively live at La Fenice in Venice in 2011 and at Trifonov’s Carnegie Hall recital debut in February 2013.