This CD features all the important representatives of the traditional Czech school of composition: Smetana, considered the founder of this tradition and creator of the national style; Eben, who continued this tradition; and Martinů, whose work is closely linked to Parisian artistic circles. While Smetana was influenced by Schumann and Liszt in his early works, Eben embraced Neoclassicism, and Martinů was oriented toward Parisian culture.
Smetana began his career as a music teacher in Prague, continued his studies autodidactically, and steadily developed his technique. Years later, he used his Piano Sonata as the basis for his Piano Trio, which was composed after a personal tragedy and impressively demonstrates his compositional abilities.
Martinů, who established himself as a composer in Paris and was inspired by Stravinsky, wrote his first Piano Trio in the Neoclassical style. His composition is characterized by small motivic building blocks and a Baroque-like rhythmic energy. The Cubist character of his Trio lends the work a special originality.
Eben, one of the leading Czech composers of the 20th century, drew inspiration for his work from his faith and achieved great acclaim for his organ improvisations. His Piano Trio, composed in 1986, reflects both his family roots and his musical beginnings, deliberately highlighting the sonic differences between the piano and string instruments.
These three compositions illustrate the individual styles, influences, and artistic developments of Czech composers, each expressed in distinctive musical works.