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The Sitkovetsky Trio is one of today’s outstanding piano trios, appearing on the most important stages around the globe. Their playing has been described as “musically exceptional, sonically versatile, with focused energy, analytical clarity, and intensity” (FonoForum).
The ensemble consists of Russian-British violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, German cellist Isang Enders, and Chinese pianist Qian Wu. The trio has existed for nearly 20 years and has earned the highest recognition for its progressive programming and remarkable ensemble cohesion. For many years, they have performed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls – including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Alte Oper in Frankfurt, Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, the Musée du Louvre in Paris, the Auditori in Barcelona, Lincoln Center in New York, and, with particular regularity, London’s Wigmore Hall.
The Sitkovetsky Trio’s recordings on the BIS Records label have received multiple awards and high critical praise. Their album featuring works by Ravel and Saint-Saëns was awarded the BBC Music Magazine Award and the Diapason d’Or ARTE. Their complete recording of the piano trios by Ludwig van Beethoven was hailed by international critics as “one of the best recent releases” (Elisabeth Richter). The "Archduke" Trio was selected in blind-listening competitions as the top interpretation by FranceMusique and the BBC’s “Build your Library” series, while The Times praised the Beethoven cycle as one of the “Best Classical Albums of 2024”: “The Sitkovetsky Trio works its magic in Beethoven’s music.” Crescendo Magazine awarded the album its highest honor, the "joker absolu."
Most recently, the Sitkovetsky Trio was Artist in Residence at the Beethovenfest Bonn, where they premiered a new triple concerto by Ferran Cruixent with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony. A longstanding advocate for contemporary music, the trio has commissioned numerous works, with a particular emphasis on works by female composers.
Last year, the trio toured Israel, Hong Kong, the USA, and China, collaborating with artists such as Michael Collins, Vivi Vassileva, Brett Dean, and Sharon Kam.
Highlights of the 2025/2026 season include returns to New York, London, Vienna, Copenhagen, and the Schubertiade in Hohenems, along with tours to North and South America and Australia.
Isang Enders and Alexander Sitkovetsky both perform on fine instruments generously loaned by the J. & A. Beare’s Violin Society in London. The Antonio Stradivarius violin, known as the "Parera," dates from 1679, and the cello was crafted by Carlo Tononi in Venice in 1720.
2025/2026
„Incredibly well matched, this is an established trio and you can tell how much they trust each other. There’s a wonderful mixture of buoyancy, particularly the pianist Wu Qian hast the most formidable clear technique when it comes to some of the more taxing writing in the faster movements… It’s a lovely recorded sound as well.”Mark Lowther and Andrew McGregor BBC Radio 3 – Record Review
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Contact: Lenemarie Leukefeld