Gould Piano Trio

Formed in 1987, the Gould Piano Trio has established a reputation as one of the most exciting ensembles to emerge in recent years. The Trio consists of Lucy Gould (violin), Alice Neary (cello) and Benjamin Frith (piano).

Highly regarded in the field of chamber music, they enjoy a career that takes them to major venues both in the UK and overseas. Chosen as the British Rising Stars for the 1998-99 season, the Trio performed in such prestigious venues as New York's Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Brussels Palais des Beaux-Arts, Birmingham's Symphony Hall and major halls in Paris, Cologne, Athens and Vienna.

As part of its commitment to extending the piano trio repertoire, the Trio has commissioned works and performed many contemporary pieces. Alongside their work as performers, they regularly coach ensembles and give masterclasses.

Numerous festival appearances have included Edinburgh, Cheltenham, London, Bath, Lichfield, Orebro (Sweden), Spoleto (Italy) and the BBC Henry Wood Proms Chamber Series. In 1999 the Trio started its own annual chamber music festival in Corbridge, Northumberland. International tours have taken them to South Korea, Taiwan, Argentina and Brazil and to Northern America as well as most European countries. They have given many live BBC broadcasts from venues such as St John's Smith Square, Wigmore Hall, St George's Brandon Hill and the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh. Their first disc on Naxos features the two Mendelssohn trios. The Trio has also recorded a cover disc for BBC Music Magazine, performing works by Beethoven, Faure and Brahms.

The Gould Piano Trio has been the recipient of many national and international awards: First Prize at the Charles Hennen Competition in Holland was followed by joint First Prize in the inaugural Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition in Australia. At the 1993 Premio Vittorio Gui Competition in Florence they were awarded the Audience Prize in addition to winning the overall First Prize.