(c) Sébastien Grébille
Biography
« The way this musical family playfully communicates with each other and the audience is very charming. » Isabel Herzfeld, Klassik Heute
The Trio Koch, consisting of two violins and a piano, is a family affair. The father, Philippe (violin), his daughter Laurence (violin) and son Jean-Philippe (piano), explore the original and little-played repertoire of trio works for two violins and piano, performing music from all periods, from Bach to Shostakovich and Berio, taking in Mozart, Moszkowski, Martinu and Bartók along the way. The Trio Koch has been named Classical Music music:LX Export Artist of the Year in 2016. Their projects include performances in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, UK, Spain, Japan etc. The audience has witnessed the keen musical empathy their family’s long artistic heritage has given them. The Trio released 3 albums; the latest on the Belgian label ET’CETERA which features original works for two violins and piano. This album has been nominated at the International Classic Music Awards and has received a good attention from the media as well as some excellent reviews (Klassik Heute, WDR 3, Radio Klassik, Klassieke Zaken, Pizzicato).
PHILIPPE KOCH
In addition to being leader of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Philippe Koch is a professor of violin at the Liège Royal Conservatoire, a soloist, a chamber musician and a co-founder of the TRIO KOCH. After perfecting his craft with master violinists C. Ferras, P. Amoyal and A. Grumiaux, he embarked on a solo career in Europe, Japan, the United States and Latin America, performing with leading conductors and orchestras. He has recorded more than 25 CDs, many of which have won prestigious awards (including the Diapason d’or, Choc de la musique, Recommandé par Répertoire and Pizzicato). He has also served as a judge at the Queen Elisabeth Competition (violin). Philippe Koch is a keen chamber musician, performing with the Trio Grumiaux (with L. Devos and L. Dewez), the Brussels String Quartet, the Quatuor Louvigny, G. Caussé, P. Gililov, M. Kliegel and others.
LAURENCE KOCH
Laurence KOCH started playing the violin at the age of 3, with her father Ph. KOCH at the Luxembourg Conservatory and at the Royal Conservatory of Liège, where she got her “1er prix de violon” with 100% at the age of 16, then her final violin and chamber music degrees with the highest honours. She then studied under O. CHARLIER (CNSM Paris) and J.P. WALLEZ (HEM Geneva). Laurence was awarded numerous prizes, among which the IKB prize in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg as well as the Oeuvre des Artistes prize (which was also awarded to Jascha HEIFETZ and Yehudi MENUHIN) in Belgium. She performs regularly as a soloist with orchestras in Luxembourg as well as abroad. Besides the TRIO KOCH, Laurence performs with numerous other artists, among whom L. Devos, D. Blumenthal, E. Brunner, M. Kliegel, T. Adamopoulos, J. Schmit, E. Reyes, P. Petrov, S. Walnier, C. Krier. She appeared in the most renowned halls such as the Berlin Philharmony and the greatest festivals in Europe, as well as in Japan, where she played for the Empress. Aged 20, Laurence won the competition for a position as violin professor at the Luxembourg Conservatory, making her the youngest appointed professor in the Grand Duchy.
JEAN-PHILIPPE KOCH
Jean-Philippe studied the piano at the Musikhochschule in Saarbrücken, Liège Royal Conservatoire, Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he has been awarded a scholarship by the school, and Codarts University of Arts in Rotterdam. Always on the lookout for new approaches to piano, Jean-Philippe has attended master classes given by L. Boulet, P. L. Aimard, K. Stott, D. Protopopescu, C. Fontlupt, T. Duis, S. Demay and others. In 2014, he joined the teaching staff the piano at the Conservatoire. Jean-Philippe gave a lot of performances around the world and joined many international festivals as part of the Trio Koch and Dock In Absolute, his Jazz trio. He was also awarded the SACEM Prize, the EMCY (European Union of Music Competitions for Youth) Prize and the best composition prize for at the “Artistes en Herbe” international composition competition. Jean-Philippe also has a keen interest in improvisation, jazz and composing, performing both alone and as part of a group.
Repertoire
M. MOSZKOWSKI : Suite in G minor op.71
D. MILHAUD : Sonata for two violins and piano op.15
B. MARTINU : Sonatina for two violins and piano H.198
A. CORELLI : Sonata tre op.1 N°6
A. MENDELSSOHN : Trio op.76
L. MOZART : Sonata tre op.1 N°6
D. SHOSTAKOVITCH : 5 Pieces
B. MARTINU : Sonata for two violins and piano op.15
A. BOZIC- KUDRIC: Suite for two violins and piano
J. BRAHMS : Hungarian Danse N°5
E. ELGAR : Salut d’amour
L. BOCCHERINI : Menuetto
C. SAINT-SAENS : The Swan
H. WIENIAWSKY : Caprice N°4
P. DE SARASATE : Airs Bohémiens
J. MASSENET : Meditation de Thais
H. WIENIAWSKY : Caprice N°2
V. MONTI : Czardas