Respected local musicians and members of staff at Stellenbosch University, pianist Pieter Grobler, violinist Suzanne Martens and cellist Peter Martens, will perform piano trios by Debussy, Schumann and Shostakovich. The trio has come together especially for Woordfees 2017 to perform some of the world’s most sublime chamber music.

Shostakovich’s first trio dates from 1923. The single-movement work seems to be a 20th century reworking of the character piece genre of the previous century. As the case with Shostakovitch’s trio, Debussy’s is a youth composition, started in 1880 in Italy, where the 18-year old composer resided as accompanist. Likewise, Schumann’s trio is a youthful work, yet with powerful allure that has ensured its popularity with audiences.