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Clarinetist and Michigan State University Associate Professor Mingzhe Wang met cellist Eli Lara and pianist Ilya Poletaev when they were all graduate students at Yale University. Since then, their careers have taken them to different locations – Michigan, Missouri, and Montreal, respectively – but the friends and colleagues have reunited once again to record their latest work as Trio Séléné.

Trio Contemplating the Moon released on the Blue Griffin label in October, produced and recorded by Sergei Kvitko.

After their critically acclaimed debut recording, which they recorded on modern instruments, Trio Séléné decided to explore the use of period instruments for its second project. The trio commissioned composer Yevgeniy Sharlat for a new work to explore the specific timbres of early musical instruments, their transparent textures, and distinct colors and qualities.

“Using musical instruments from the composers’ time reveals textures and color not readily available on their modern counterparts,” Wang explained. “The clarity of articulation, varied colors, and overall speaking quality of these instruments bring the older works to life so vividly, they balance each other perfectly; not to mention, these qualities can be explored endlessly by modern composers as well.”

On their new release, Trio Séléné places the classic Beethoven Trio, op. 11 and Eberl’s Grand Trio, op. 36 next to Sharlat’s modern Trio Contemplating the Moon. By doing so, they reimagine and recast the distinctive characteristics of early instruments.

Already known to explore new and classic works, with their second release Trio Séléné establishes itself as the only clarinet, cello, and piano ensemble equally at home on modern and period instruments.

“We worked very hard for this recording, carefully considering pacing, phrasing, and emotional impact,” Wang said. “We are very proud of this album and hope that listeners will enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.”