The Z.E.N. Trio members met as BBC New Generation Artists in 2015 and have since performed concerts together for BBC Radio as well as across the UK, Europe, China, Canada and United States, including a debut at the prestigious Aspen Music Festival in 2018. In the 2019/20 season, the trio performed in North America, in a six-city tour to San Francisco, Vancouver, Santa Barbara, Boston, Washington and Miami.

Their debut album was released in 2017 on Deutsche Grammophon, featuring Brahms and Dvořák Piano Trios. Their follow-up album will be recorded during this season for the same label.

While the trio’s name, ‘Z.E.N.’ is an acronym for the three artists’ initials, it also represents the philosophy with which they approach chamber music making - the forgoing of the self for total togetherness.

Z.E.N. Trio plays with an alchemy that brings music to life as an ensemble while showcasing their individual brilliance.

The first piece on the program is Arno Babajanian’s passionate Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello, one of his most important works.

Matt Laing, a Musica Viva Australia FutureMaker, writes music of great virtuosity and originality. His New Work was commissioned in celebration of a patron’s significant birthday and features the soloistic talents of Z.E.N. Trio.

During the grand finale, Dvořák’s intoxicating ‘Dumky’, you’ll be resisting the urge to stamp your feet.

Esther Yoo: Violin   Narek Hakhnazaryan: Cello   Zhang Zuo: Piano