10 years of “FORTE TRIO”. The famous band celebrates its anniversary

Universal, mobile and, of course, loved by the public. The ensemble “FORTE TRIO” meets its anniversary with such compliments. In all its glory..! The ensemble can rightfully be called a pioneer, opening the way for Kazakhstani musicians to new world stages.

“FORTE TRIO” has performed in such famous halls as the Cadillac Concert Hall in Shanghai, the Cortot Hall in Paris, the Molière Concert Hall in Lyon and the Berlin Philharmonic Hall.

The trio never ceases to amaze the musical community with its successes. Two years ago, the artists, the first of the Kazakhstani performers. made a big tour of Brazil. The ensemble is also unique in that it is the only ensemble with the status of the State Trio of Kazakhstan. In many ways, the incredible success of “FORTE TRIO” is due to its permanent artistic director Timur Urmancheev, who was at the origins of the ensemble's creation.

“To be honest, we did not expect that this niche would be so in demand in our country and that we would fill a certain void. And now, instead of it, there is a team that the public is waiting for and knows. And in all likelihood, everything is not accidental. There was a need, a need for such a team. In fact, this is a unique ensemble that can perform any music and transfer it itself. The trio is also very mobile in terms of movement and format. Sometimes it is a mini-orchestra, sometimes it is a purely classical trio. At one concert, the ensemble can accompany an invited soloist, and at another, one of the members of our ensemble can perform as a soloist. Such a universal, unique ensemble that has found its sphere, has found its audience,” Timur Urmancheev shared his emotions.

“FORTE TRIO” wins the love of music connoisseurs by selecting fascinating and at the same time understandable programs for listeners. Artists can hold concerts by candlelight, enticing the public into the atmosphere of a musical salon. Or they organize cozy evenings of chamber music, inviting their friends - domestic instrumentalists, soloists and dancers - to take part in them. A separate cycle of concerts is dedicated to musical journeys, in which the ensemble introduces listeners to the musical heritage of countries near and far. The artists' anniversary year began with performances at home - first in the capital of the country, then in the city of Kostanay.

“We have a lot of plans for this anniversary year. We would like to give concerts in all cities of Kazakhstan, perform again in all concert halls of our beautiful country. We have our own audience. We are very happy to glorify the art of our country and the best of world classics, which is the basis of our repertoire.

Kazakhstanis know “FORTE TRIO”, they come to our concerts. This is a great incentive and our inspiration for us. Many thanks to our audience, who come to us, listen to our complex programs, because chamber music requires a certain preparation,” Timur Urmancheev thanked the listeners.

Each musician of “FORTE TRIO” is, first of all, a soloist who participates in a joint performance. The ensemble includes laureates of international competitions: cellist Murat Narbekov, violinist Maksat Dzhusupov and pianist, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan Timur Urmancheev. The repertoire of “Forte Trio” covers a wide range of musical works: from Baroque music to jazz, from classical works to modern compositions. The ensemble always has a busy tour schedule. Among the latest foreign performances are concerts in January 2024 in France and Germany.

“We recently returned from a wonderful trip to France. Last year, the head of one of the national theaters in France came to Kazakhstan and, after listening to our ensemble, invited us to tour the theater in the city of Belfort. We also performed with a concert at the invitation of the Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Strasbourg. We are planning a trip to Malta. We have a lot of plans. And I hope that they will all come true,” Timur Urmancheev shared.

“FORTE TRIO” trips are formed constantly. The director of the ensemble, Laura Akhmetova, is working on this. According to her, the ensemble does not just go abroad and give concerts, the trio's performance is included in the repertoire plan of leading theaters and halls in many countries.

“I can proudly say that the trio performed on the stage of the Berlin Philharmonic with the famous Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. We played Beethoven's Triple Concerto. This is the only work in this genre for such a composition: trio and orchestra. And the ensemble played with the legendary world orchestra with a full house in the hall. I remember that 2200 tickets were sold that evening. It is very important for musicians that they play in historical, iconic, wonderful halls of the world, because over the years Kazakhstani performing arts in the classical genre have reached a high level,” Laura Akhmetova noted.

At the end of 2022, the ensemble surprised its fans by making a big tour of Brazil. The musicians performed in such major cities as Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Goiania and Belem. The artists performed works by Kazakhstani authors, as well as music by Mozart, Beethoven, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Borodin and Piazzolla. Almost immediately after the trip to Brazil, the Kazakhstani musicians went to Mozart's homeland and performed at the famous Mozarteum in Salzburg. And then, they were warmly received in Italy, where they played on stage at the foot of Mount Etna in Sicily.

Performing regularly in different cities of Kazakhstan, the artists always give master classes in local educational institutions. They share their professional experience with young talents and give practical advice, preserving the valuable traditions of the national performing school.