Meet the exciting trio causing a stir in the classical music world

Founded in Turin in 2013, Trio Concept, formerly known as Trio Chagall, have quickly established themselves as one of the leading ensembles in the classical music world. Made up of Lorenzo Nguyen (Piano), Edoardo Grieco (Violin) and Francesco Massimino (Cello), the Trio have been performing together since they were teenagers. In 2023, they won First Prize at the Schoenfeld International String Competition in Harbin, China, and the YCAT international auditions at Wigmore Hall. Their Harrogate concert features works by Bloch, Ravel and Mendelssohn.

Who inspired you to first start performing?

We began playing music together when we were very young, and it was our teachers who truly inspired us. Coincidentally, they all happened to be members of Italian piano trios, so for us, chamber music – and the trio in particular – was something we grew up witnessing on stage. It felt like a natural way to follow in our teachers’ footsteps.

What have been your music career highlights so far?

There have been many special moments, both on stage and behind the scenes. If we had to pick two that really stand out, we’d mention receiving the Yves Paternot Prize at the Verbier Festival – it was such an emotional and unforgettable experience. And, of course, our debut with Beethoven’s Triple Concerto at the National Concert Hall in Taipei, which was a dream come true.

What advice would you give upcoming artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Take care of the human connection within the group. Playing chamber music for us isn’t just about rehearsing and performing, we’ve always tried to build something together. The most challenging part is often simply staying together, and that depends on how you communicate, how you listen, and how you grow as people. If the relationship is strong, then the time and energy for rehearsing and improving come more naturally.

What do you hope the audience in Harrogate takes away from your performance?
We try to never start a concert with a fixed message in mind. What we hope is to create something meaningful in the moment, something that happens between us and the audience. If a listener walks away having experienced even one moment that touched them deeply, then we are happy and grateful.

Describe your programme in three words
Shadow – Crystal – Fire

Do you have any pre-concert rituals?
We each have our own little ways of getting ready. Lorenzo tends to walk around a lot to release tension. Edoardo likes to keep playing and practicing until the very last moment, while Francesco is usually the most relaxed of the three! But as a group, we always tune together about 15 minutes before the concert, and then spend the final five minutes focusing, talking quietly, and reconnecting, so we walk on stage already united in thought.

What do you most enjoy about performing live and why is it still important in our digital age?
What we love most is the presence of the audience. It’s amazing how much the energy in the room changes when someone is really listening – it brings out a whole new level of intensity. That kind of connection is something no recording or livestream concert can replace. In a world that’s becoming increasingly digital, sharing a live musical moment with others feels incredibly human and vital.

If you could collaborate with any other artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
There are so many artists we’d love to collaborate with. If we had to choose, we’d say the Belcea Quartet or Quatuor Ébène, whom we truly admire. But we’re also open to unexpected encounters, even outside the classical world with pop musicians, actors, dancers. We always try to stay curious.

What music are you listening to at the moment?
We were in Basel during Eurovision week so, naturally, we were swept up in the Eurovision atmosphere! At the moment, as Italians, we’re quite enjoying “Espresso Macchiato” by Tommy Cash. It’s… quite something!