First came "The French Album", then "The Russian Album"; now, the ATOS Trio is presenting "The Czech Album" with music by Dvořák and Smetana. Two trios composed amid profound human pain resulting from the loss of a beloved person.

"As one of our first and certainly most-played trios, Dvořák's op.65 has accompanied us for many years. I feel that it is one of the most beautiful piano trios there is. It is so intense and touching: one moment profoundly melancholic, then full of effervescent joy and high spirits, here beautiful cantilenas, then exhilarating dances, and yet perfectly coherent from beginning to end.

"Smetana's op.15 is moving in a very different way. The unusual beginning of the trio, with its grief-stricken violin solo, grips listeners and performers from the very first note. The contrast between the composer's grief at the loss of his daughter and his memories of her lends the music an even more tragic note. No one can escape being drawn in by this dramatic autobiographical background." - Annette von Hehn

"For me, this album, these pieces, this atmosphere, are a journey back in time: when I was 16, I spent 12 months in Prague to study. This music evokes in me both a sense of home and Wanderlust." - Stefan Heinemeyer

ATOS Trio:
- Annette von Hehn (violin)
- Stefan Heinemeyer (cello)
- Thomas Hoppe (piano)

The ATOS Trio (Anette - T(h)omas - Stefan) was founded in 2003. It has now become one of the very few German chamber-music ensembles to have made its way into major concert series worldwide. Its aim is to go to the very limits of expression and dynamics, without shying from extremes. Outstanding characteristics of the ensemble are its warm, homogeneous trio sound, its variety of approaches depending on the style and epoch of the music being played, and above all the artistic communication between the players and their complete dedication to the music. For the musicians in the trio, playing in the ensemble has complete priority over any other musical activities.