Although they were the earliest works that the young Beethoven thought worthy to feature in his catalogue, the Trios Op.1 were far from being his first compositions. But it was in them that he first asserted his ambitions and revealed his imaginative powers. Nearly 15 years separate them from the famous 'Ghost' Trio, one of the composer's mature masterpieces. Our three performers have judiciously coupled these works with a remarkable trio by Hummel, one of Beethoven's principal rivals.

Andreas Staier has pursued a career as a freelance soloist and has earned an outstanding reputation as both

harpsichordist and fortepianist. Daniel Sepec devotes an increasing amount of his time to the Baroque violin. Hence he frequently appears as guest leader with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Camerata Academica Salzburg, and Camerata Bern, and as a soloist with the Academy of Ancient Music under Christopher Hogwood. In 2004 he founded the Arcanto Quartet, together with Jean-Guihen Queyras, Antje Weithaas and Tabea Zimmermann.Their recording of Bartok Quartets was a Gramophone Editor's Choice in August 2007.