Wandering wonders

On the May 23, the renowned Trio Wanderer from France staged a concert at the Beijing Concert Hall, delivering a performance that beautifully blended German-Austrian classics with French romanticism.

As part of the ongoing chamber music series at the Beijing Concert Hall, this concert showcased the intricate art of chamber music through the trio's interpretation of works by Schumann, Beethoven, Debussy, and contemporary composer Mel Bonis.

The concert began with Schumann's Piano Trio No 2. Pianist Vincent Coq's delicate touch on the keyboard interwove with the strings of violinist Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabedian and cellist Raphael Pidoux, bringing Schumann's passionate romanticism and introspective nuances to life.

Debussy's Piano Trio in G Minor was interpreted by the trio as a painting with colors of sound and lively rhythms transported the audience to the luminous streets of Paris, where shadows and light seemed to dance together.

In the second half of the concert, Beethoven's Triple Concerto in C Major, Op 56, often referred to as the Archduke Concerto, brought the performance to its apex, with the trio delivering a unique rendition of this "symphony in chamber music form".

Founded in 1987, the Trio Wanderer is named after Schubert's Wanderer Fantasy, symbolizing the eternal pursuit of art that transcends borders. This concert also served as one of the highlight events of the 2025 Croisements Festival, a cultural exchange initiative between China and France.