Bach - Trios

The Guardian 80

Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer
(Nonesuch)

The virtuoso mandolinist and guitarist Chris Thile is that rare being: an all-round musician who can settle into any style, from bluegrass to classical. Here he has collaborated with two other consummate multitaskers, and friends, the cellist Yo-Yo Ma and bass player Edgar Meyer. It took a few tracks to get used to the clipped, precise sound of the mandolin, at times evoking lute or harpsichord, but by the time these three fine musicians tackled the Fugue No 20 in A minor from The Well-Tempered Clavier Book 2, I was convinced. The illuminating booklet essay by pianist/composer Timo Andres is a bonus.