Vitality of the Xyron Trio

You can sense the vitality of the three women of the Xyrion Trio, even if they are in Germany when I phone. And you catch the same spirit a few phrases into their Naxos recording of Beethoven Trios.

The Xyrions are in Auckland next Tuesday with a programme of Auerbach, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. Each woman has visited us before; each has memories.

For cellist Maria Kliegel, New Zealanders are open to everything because they're not spoiled with concerts every night.

Pianist Nina Tichman casts a vote for our "fantastic white wine", while going into a minor rhapsody over our beautiful concert halls.

Violinist Ida Bieler, who has had professional and personal connections with New Zealand musicians over many visits, praises their impassioned interest in music and a high level of artistry.

"Xyrion is a fantasy name based on Greek mythology," says Kliegel. "It means a stranger and a friend, which is how we see our audiences [as] strangers and yet friends in music."

Lera Auerbach will certainly be a stranger to many Aucklanders when the Xyrions play the young Russian composer's Piano Trio next week.

According to Kliegel, "The work's a little bit jazzy, with a lot of rhythm and a lot of life."

Bielman is most taken by the way Auerbach "creates the sounds of nature and evokes a lot of landscape colours, as well as being strictly in a classical form and beautifully structured".

I ask what it feels like being in an all-woman group and playing a woman composer. "Fantastic," laughs Kliegel. "All the woman power in there with no man interfering.

"Women of our experience have a nice balance between being able to talk about all kinds of things, including feelings; knowing how to compromise and knowing when not to talk about things," Tichman explains.

"There's a tremendous amount of intuitive understanding of what the other person might need."

Tichman admits Tuesday's Tchaikovsky Trio is "a hunk of music for each instrument, a big romantic gesture and a million notes to play".

Beethoven's E flat Trio Opus 70 No 2, seems closer to their hearts. Tichman says it is "much more subtle when you put it alongside the more outgoing Ghost Trio".

Both Beethoven works are included on their new recording. Had they found it daunting to tackle such works in the footsteps of more established ensembles?

"You have to be in touch with the composer and not worry what the other guys did," says Tichman.

Bieler takes a more holistic stance: "All of these performances are like children of ours; it's a birth. We labour and put enormous effort into it hoping that our children will be successful and loved in this world.

"We know that there will be some people out there who love what they do, and some won't be able to stand it. One becomes philosophical.

"It's like a child that you put your heart and soul into and hope Beethoven was holding your hand as it was coming. And maybe giving a little caress to it as well."

* The Xyrion Trio, Auckland Town Hall, Tuesday 8pm; The Xyrion Trio play Beethoven (Naxos 8.557723).