The ‘Dumky’ Trio is named after a genre of Slavonic folksong generally performed by blind wandering minstrels who accompanied themselves on the kobza or bandura (twelve-string lute). Dvořák, whose father played the zither, immersed himself in this music and creatively translated its substance into his own music. The trio was premiered in 1891 and, in response to its ecstatic reception, Dvořák decided to perform it during his grand farewell tour before leaving for the United States. Zoltán Kodály’s Duo for violin and cello (1914), which completes the programme, also bears witness to the influence of folk music.

The preceding recording in the series features works by Veress and Bartók; it won both a Gramophone Award and a BBC Music Magazine Award in 2020,