Trio Gaspard: Conquering the summit on six stages

A violin, a cello, and a piano – Jonian Ilias Kadesha, Vashti Hunter, and Nicholas Rimmer need no more equipment to embark on musical high-altitude flights. Following their performances in Ernen two years ago, when the Trio Gaspard successfully played against a summer storm with lightning and thunder, they are returning to present a summit ascent in six stages as part of «Chamber Music Compact»: Six concerts in three days.

Even though the new Artistic Director, Jonathan Inniger, has reduced the format by one concert, thus giving everyone a little more room to breath, this remains a tightly scheduled concert marathon. Hardly has one concert faded away before the next one awaits. «It’s not a disadvantage to play six concerts in a short amount of time; it helps you get into the right flow,» says cellist Vashti Hunter. On the contrary: she says it is even «extremely helpful,» because it leaves no room for nervousness or self-doubt.

The Freedom to Tell a Story

She says they always try to tell the audience a convincing story. «If we succeed in that, we are happy.» Vashti Hunter, who is a couple with violinist Jonian Ilias Kadesha, is convinced that their mutual connection is an important factor in the trio's success. «The three of us have built up so much trust, respect, and understanding for one another that we can now play without having to worry about how we play. We enjoy challenging each other and letting the music sound alive and spontaneous.» The key, she adds, is to always remain curious and never stop exploring new facets in the music.

Wide Selection

The repertoire of the award-winning trio is extremely diverse. This will also be evident in Ernen. Alongside the piano trio classics by Beethoven, Schubert, Robert and Clara Schumann, Dvořák, and Fauré, there are many composers connected to Paris: Camille Saint-Saëns, Claude Debussy, Joaquín Turina, Bohuslav Martinů, Lili Boulanger, and Mel Bonis – who is featured as Ernen's «Composer to Discover» with her complete works for piano trio.

One should also not miss Arno Babajanian and Erich Wolfgang Korngold. Furthermore, music from our immediate present, by the British composer Sally Beamish and the Italian cellist and composer Giovanni Sollima, whose work Hide in Trio will receive its world premiere in Ernen.

Haydn the Founding Father

It is almost surprising that Haydn is «only» represented with two works. Trio Gaspard has focused heavily on Haydn in recent years. «We have set ourselves the goal of recording all 46 of his piano trios,» says Hunter. «Haydn was innovative,» she states. «He dared to think outside the box and loved to experiment.» While the piano was central in his first trios, Haydn soon gave the violin and cello an individual voice in dialogue with the piano.

Sharing the Wit in the Music

Although Haydn’s piano trios were originally written to be performed in salons, they should by no means be understood as «salon music» in the derogatory sense of the word, says Vashti Hunter. «For us, they are masterpieces that deserve to be played in the most important concert halls.» However, Haydn is indeed also perfectly suited for house concerts – or for Ernen: «It’s a great feeling to have the audience as close as possible to you to share the wit in the music with them.»

What question would the cellist have for Haydn if she suddenly encountered him in Ernen? Vashti Hunter laughs. «I would ask him to play chamber music with us. That would be the best way to get to know him even better.»

Chamber Music Compact | 3–5 July 2026 | Six concerts in three days

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Written in December 2025, by Marianne Mühlemann