The Smetana Trio, though, receives a really inspired performance. This is not the Smetana of Má vlast or The Bartered Bride but a deeply distraught composer coming to terms with the death of his four-year-old daughter. The opening movement is full of passion and angst, yet Smetana never hectors but takes the listener with him in his heartfelt, introspective personal grief. The central polka has two reflective interludes of gentle charm, and the finale appears to sweep all before it. But again there are moments of sad nostalgia and even a grave, quasi marcia, before the work closes more positively. The members of the Grieg Trio identify totally with this music, following its changes of mood with great sensitivity and feeling, and the result is truly memorable in the depth of the players’ response, with the pianist often leading in just the right way.

They also give a enjoyably personal reading of the Tchaikovsky Trio, essentially lyrical but with the changing moods of the first movement again well observed. Here the pianist, Vebjørn Anvik, plays as very much part of the team rather than dominating in an almost concertante fashion as do Freddy Kempff (BIS, 7/03) and Yefim Bronfman (Canary Classics, 11/08). But the result is appealing in a different way, with the second movement variations attractively lightweight and beguiling. The recording is excellent, full-bodied and clear, and if you take trouble in getting the balance between the back and front speakers right, the concert hall effect is realistic, if noticeably resonant.