An inimitable ensemble with repertoire spanning Romantic masterworks to today’s most lauded composers.
Trio Zimbalist has garnered critical acclaim for its “precision and feverish intensity” (Greece’s EfSyn). The group was lauded for its “liveliness and vigor of playing” and performances that were “pure enjoyment!” (Athinorama) at the Nights of Classical Music at the Gennadius Library festival in Athens, where it served as ensemble in residence in 2021. Members of the trio—violinist Josef Špaček, cellist Timotheos Gavriilidis-Petrin, and pianist George Xiaoyuan Fu—are all distinguished alumni of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. In demand across Europe and the U.S. as soloists, chamber musicians, and recitalists, they form an inimitable ensemble with repertoire spanning Romantic masterworks to today’s most lauded composers.
Trio Zimbalist’s 2022-23 season engagements included U.S. appearances in Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Palm Beach, and European appearances in Athens, Bremen, Munich, London, and Paris. The group also performed Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with the Greensboro Symphony and conductor Dmitry Sitkovetsky. The trio’s 2023-24 season includes performances at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., and the Friends of Chamber Music in Miami. The ensemble’s debut album, featuring music of Lera Auerbach, Mieczysław Weinberg, and Dvořák, will be released in January 2024 on the Curtis Studio label.
Josef Špaček, violin | Timotheos Gavriilidis-Petrin, cello | George Xiaoyuan Fu, piano
Press
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What the Critics are Saying
Strings Magazine 2024:
“…a bold combination of styles…demonstrating versatility as well as virtuosity.”
The Strad 2024:
“I applaud the wide range of sound, colour and dynamics that the Trio Zimbalist brings to its clearly recorded and highly charged performances.”
South Florida Classical Review 2024:
“Their balance and blending proved well-nigh perfect with each player’s artistry adroitly displayed but never overwhelming the others….The players astute playing mixed elegance with fleet energy.”
-Lawrence Budmen
Seen and Heard International 2024:
“[Their performance] surprised with its vigorous freshness and vitality….Their exciting chemistry and split-second exchange of ideas…often gave the impression of a brilliant improvisation….You could focus on one of the three, like a favorite character in a novel, while also admiring the urgent symmetry of the ensemble.”
-Thomas May
GRAMOPHONE 2024:
“an astonishingly accomplished debut”
-Andrew Farach-Colton
Music City Review 2024:
“With impeccable preparation and dedication to the manic heights and somber lows of these works, the trio’s time and efforts are justly rewarded. This first studio outing…is merely the beginning for this group, and an exhilarating beginning it is.”
-Richard Blumenthal
TheStrad 2023:
“The three players [of Trio Zimbalist] captured [the work’s] passion and originality, all the way through to the desolate conclusion, causing the packed hall to burst into cheers and applause.”
-Bruce Hodges -
Recent News
I Care if You Listen: Five Questions to Trio Zimbalist
“Each of the players brings their individuality, yet they work seamlessly together in their interpretation and passion.”
-Anne Goldberg Baldwin
Media
Images
High-resolution files are available to download from the full promotional kit
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Videos
Introducing Trio Zimbalist
Beethoven: Trio in D major, Op. 70, No. 1 (“Ghost”): I. Allegro vivace e con brio; Rudolfinum, December 2021
Dvořák: Trio in E minor, Op. 90 (“Dumky”); Rudolfinum, December 2021
Find more performances of Trio Zimbalist on YouTube
Repertoire
Repertoire is subject to change and must be approved by Trio Zimbalist; substitutions may be available. Contact the Curtis Institute of Music with any inquiries.
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2024–25 Season Programs
Program I
Lera Auerbach: Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 28
Weinberg: Piano Trio, Op. 24
—intermission—
Dvořák: Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90, B. 166 (“Dumky”)
Program II
Arensky: Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 32
—intermission—
Beethoven: Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97 (“Archduke”)
Program III
Haydn: Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, Hob. XV:25
Martinů: Bergerettes for Piano Trio, H. 275
—intermission—
Ravel: Piano Trio in A minor
Alternate Selections
Beethoven: Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70, No. 1 (“Ghost”)
Skalkottas: Eight Variations for Piano Trio
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2025–26 Season Programs
Program I
SHOSTAKOVICH: Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 8
WEINBERG: Piano Trio, Op. 24
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DVORAK: Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90, B. 166 (“Dumky”)Alternate selection, to be substituted for Shostakovich:
Josef SUK: Elegy for Piano Trio, Op. 23This repertoire featured on Trio Zimbalist’s album Piano Trios of Weinberg, Auerbach, &
Dvořák. Listen now.Program II
HAYDN: Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, Hob. XV:25
MARTINŮ: Bergerettes for Piano Trio, H. 275
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RAVEL: Piano Trio in A minorNote: 2025 is the 150th Anniversary of Ravel’s birth.
Program III
SHOSTAKOVICH: Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 8
Rebecca CLARKE: Piano Trio
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BEETHOVEN: Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97 (“Archduke”)Program IV
George Xiaoyuan FU: Title TBC, new commission
SMETANA: Piano Trio No. 1 in G minor for piano, violin, and cello, Op. 15
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SCHUMANN: Schumann: Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 63Alternate selection, to be substituted for Fu commission:
Maurice Ravel: Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2
(arr. George Xiaoyuan Fu)Alternate selection:
Beethoven: Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70, No. 1 (“Ghost”)
Repertoire subject to change; substitutions may be available. Programs must be approved by Trio Zimbalist. Contact the Curtis Institute of Music representatives below with any inquiries.
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Concertos
Beethoven: Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano in C major, Op. 56
Voříšek: Grand Rondo Concertante
Can be performed on the same program with Beethoven Triple Concerto
Additional triple concertos available in consultation with Curtis.
Contact
General Management
Andrew Lane
Vice President, Touring and Artist Management
Executive Director, Curtis Artist Management
(215) 717-3124
andrew.lane@curtis.edu
Booking Representatives (North America)
Julie Gaitens
Booking Representative
(215) 717-3146
julie.gaitens@curtis.edu
Brayton Arvin
Artist Manager and Booking Representative
(215) 875-4204
brayton.arvin@curtis.edu
Booking Representative (Europe)
Julika Castro
Booking Representative, Europe
+49 (0)178-514 43 26
julika.castro@curtis.edu
Engagement Advancing (Curtis Artist Management)
Catelyn Cohen
Manager of Artist Services
(215) 717-3129
catelyn.cohen@curtis.edu