The group, pianist Catherine Klipfel, violinist Stefan Hempel and cellist Emanuel Wehse, will perform a concert program including Germaine Tailleferre: Trio; Pierre Jalbert: Piano Trio No. 2 (2014); and Ravel: Trio in A. The trio first met while studying at Folkwang Conservatory in Essen, Germany. They formed in 2005 with 19th century poet and humorist, Christian Morgenstern, serving as inspiration for the trio’s name.
It wasn’t long before they achieved professional accomplishments and critical acclaim.
After only two short years, the Morgenstern Trio emerged on the German music scene after receiving top prizes and awards. After receiving the prestigious Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio Award in 2010, they gained attention in America and were engaged to perform at top concert venues including the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. They also performed in other venues in New York and in cities including Chicago, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Carmel, Louisville, Lexington and Palm Beach. The Morgenstern Trio traveled to the West Coast to perform for the Mill Valley Chamber Music Society in November 2013.
After performing at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater in 2012, Robert Battey for the Washington Post applauded the Morgenstern Trio for its polished technique and musical imagination and wrote “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard so many of the string colors and sound effects in the Ravel Trio — certainly not in a live performance. Morgenstern’s clarity of musical detail and technical excellence made this a night to remember. This was one of the best concerts I’ve heard all season.”
The trio established the Morgenstern Festival in Germany in the summer of 2014, offering eclectic programs with featured guest artists. More recently, the Morgenstern Trio was selected by the European Concert Hall Organization for the “Rising Star Series,” providing for debut concerts on important stages throughout Europe. The Germany’s national program for young musicians and the “Best of NRW” Concert Series has provided the Morgenstern Trio a noticeable platform with numerous concerts across Germany and live radio appearances to showcase their already consummate musicianship.
The 411: The Morgenstern Trio performs at 5pm on Sunday, March 13 at the Mount Tamalpais United Methodist Church, 410 Sycamore Ave. Tickets are $18-$35 via Brown Paper Tickets, at 1-800-838-3006 or at the door.