Three Musical Stories of the 20th Century

Concerts by the piano trio Areal, widely regarded as one of the most outstanding young chamber ensembles of this generation, will be held on September 21 thanks to the patronage of the Heritage Cultural Association of Azerbaijan. This event will bring together three vibrant eras of chamber music from the twentieth century, performed by violinist Jamila Garayusifli, pianist Daria Korotkova, and cellist Sandro Meszaros.

The musicians of Trio Areal

In Zurich, Jamila Garayusifli studied violin with Ilya Gringolts. She is a Baku native. Daria Korotkova—a pianist hailing from St. Petersburg who has given extensive performances across Europe, the USA, and Asia. She has performed under the direction of Maxim Vengerov and Fuad Ibrahimov and has won prizes at international contests. Her extensive repertoire and polished group playing have garnered her multiple accolades. Sandro Meszaros, a young Swiss cellist who has won honors at the highest level. He joined the Tonhalle Orchester-Zürich in 2024.

Program of the Evening: Three Musical “Tales” of the 20th Century

Trio on Irish Folk Songs by Frank Martin (1925)
A breezy, evocative score brimming with dancing rhythms, Celtic folk tunes, and the impressionist hues of France. A masterpiece of chamber music, it strikes a perfect balance between the tonality of the late Romantics and that of the early Modernists.

Shostakovich's Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67 (1944)

Composed in 1944, is one of his most emotionally intense chamber works. It was written in memory of his close friend Ivan Sollertinsky, whose sudden death deeply affected the composer. The trio unfolds in four movements, each contributing to a narrative of grief, horror, and irony. The trio is not only a personal elegy but also a broader lament for the suffering of World War II.

Pianist Tofig Bakikhanov's Third Piano Trio (1979)

A genuine link connecting the East and the West. The Azerbaijani legacy of mugham, Turkish, and Balkan rhythms (5/8, 6/8), coupled with neoclassical and postromantic elements, is what Bakikhanov uses. A fusion of subtle Eastern lyricism with raging fury emerges as the musical product.

The Significance of the Concert

Trio Areal, which debuted in 2020 in Zurich, immediately became famous for its adventurous programming and lively ensemble sound. On September 21, you won't simply hear music; you'll be immersed in three narratives from the twentieth century: the pursuit of new forms of expression, the drama of historical events, and the blending of national cultures.

This event would not have been possible without the backing of the Geneva-based Heritage Cultural Association of Azerbaijan. This important group has been spreading awareness of Azerbaijani history and culture all over Europe for a long time.

Heritage aims to showcase the Azerbaijani artistic, literary, musical, and craft traditions to a global audience. To broaden European audiences' understanding of Azerbaijani culture, the group funds performances, exhibits, festivals, album releases, talks, and cultural exchanges.

There is an emphasis on Azerbaijan's musical heritage, where contemporary styles coexist with the country's old ones (folk songs, mugham). Heritage helps keep national identity alive while also bringing it into a broader global cultural conversation through initiatives like the Trio Areal concert and recordings by young artists.

Sponsoring Trio Areal is so more than just buying tickets to a single performance; it's an investment in the organization's long-term goal of preserving and sharing Azerbaijan's cultural legacy for the benefit of all people everywhere.

The concert on September 21 promises to be a true musical journey: from the Irish-inspired tales of Frank Martin — through the tragic world of Shostakovich — to the Eastern poetry of Tofig Bakikhanov.