Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio

The Kalichstein–Laredo–Robinson Trio is an American piano trio consisting of violinist Jaime Laredo, cellist Sharon Robinson, and pianist Joseph Kalichstein. The trio is one of the longest-lasting chamber ensembles with all of its original members, having debuted in 1977 at the inauguration of president Jimmy Carter.^[1] In 2001 it was named by Musical America as Ensemble of the Year,^[2] and in 2011 it was awarded the Samuel Sanders Collaborative Artists Award from The Classical Recording Foundation.^[3] In the 2003-2004 season, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts appointed Kalichstein–Laredo–Robinson Ensemble in Residence. The trio is widely regarded as perhaps the most seminal piano trio performing today, and are noted for the high quality of their interpretations of the trio repertoire.

During the classical season, the Kalichstein–Laredo–Robinson trio typically maintains a heavy touring schedule. Over the years it has performed in concerts and festivals across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand, including Carnegie Hall's Centennial series, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts' Great Performers Series, and Tanglewood Music Festival.

The trio is also known for its dedication to commissioning and performing new works, having commissioned and debuted pieces by important contemporary composers including Richard Danielpour, David Del Tredici, Daron Aric Hagen, Haflidi Hallgrimsson, John Harbison, Katherine Hoover, Leon Kirchner, David Ludwig, David Ott, Arvo Pärt, André Previn, Ned Rorem, Stanley Silverman, Joan Tower, Ezequiel Viñao, and Ellen Taaffe Zwilich. The trio has also recorded extensively, with fourteen albums to its credit. They most recently released a CD of the Schubert's piano trios and the "Arpeggione" Sonata;^[4] additionally, Laredo and Robinson also released in 2011 a CD of Double Concerti for violin and cello called "Triple Doubles.^[5]"

All members of the trio are actively engaged in the world of music education. Jaime Laredo and Sharon Robinson both currently teach at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where they became faculty in 2012,^[6][7] while Joseph Kalichstein teaches piano at the Juilliard School.^[8] In honor of the trio, the Chamber Music Society of Detroit has created the Kalichstein–Laredo–Robinson International Trio Award (KLRITA), "to encourage and enhance the careers of accomplished and extraordinarily promising young and "rising" piano trios which will be chosen every other year in perpetuity.^[9]"

Joseph Kalichstein, the pianist in the trio, died on March 31, 2022, at the age of 76.^[10]