Litolff’s fluency and confidence in his stylistic quirks are always winning. As is the glow, bounce and ensemble spirit of the Leonore Piano Trio, the most sympathetic of interpreters. Tim Horton deserves a special bouquet for elegantly dispatching Litolff’s torrents of notes, though Gemma Rosefield’s soulful cello and Benjamin Nabarro’s violin, so often a lark ascending, spread their own joy.

The Leonore Trio have made something of a habit of exploring the byways of the trio repertoire but none is more worthwhile than this disc. You might anticipate that the keyboard would tend to dominate, given that Litolff was such a prodigious pianist, but that is absolutely not the case…Throughout the Leonore combine finesse with a palpable sense of enjoyment that is entirely engaging.

Compelling music, they convince at all levels … the virtuoso yet graceful instrumental writing, add up to a cogent, powerfully articulated testimony.

The neglect of the second trio is unfathomable; Litolff has fashioned a perfectly proportioned, imaginatively melodic vehicle for a virtuosic, dynamic group and the Leonore Piano Trio do not disappoint… the message to Hyperion (and other labels) is clear: more Litolff please!!

[Litolff] wrote music of excitable, high-octane brilliance, as his two Piano Trios attest. The Leonore Piano Trio haul these dazzling delights back into the daylight with suitably virtuosic verve. Prepare to have your pulse rate raised.