In advance of the release of their latest recording together, the Gould Piano Trio reflect on their longstanding artistic relationship with clarinettist Robert Plane.

Their world premiere recording of Piers Hellawell’s The Rising of Sirius appears on Robert Plane’s forthcoming album ‘Elsewhere: Commissions for Clarinet vol. 2’, which will be released by Resonus in August. Originally commissioned in 2025, the work received its premiere at the Corbridge Chamber Music Festival, which Robert and the Trio co-direct annually in Northumberland and which takes place this year from 23rd – 26th July.

Initially brought together to perform Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time, they have since given countless performances of the work and have made a critically-acclaimed recording for Chandos. Committed to broadening the repertoire for their combination of instruments, they have commissioned new pieces by some of today’s leading composers, and have explored rarities of the twentieth century repertoire in their discography, which also includes cycles of the complete trios of Beethoven and Brahms.

Reflecting on their relationship with Robert following their recent recording sessions, the Trio writes:

“We’ve been collaborating with clarinettist Robert Plane for over 30 years, with countless concerts and recordings together. But perhaps we’re most proud of the new works we’ve commissioned for clarinet and piano trio over the years, and the superb pieces that have been added to the repertoire as a result. We’ve now committed the last of these, Piers Hellawell’s The Rising of Sirius, to disc, on Resonus Classics. It’s a thrilling, poetic and very difficult piece to play!!”

The ensemble’s next performance of The Rising of Sirius takes place at Mission House Studio on Hellawell’s home island of Harris in the Outer Hebrides on 28th July.