Biography —

Ben Hancox, violin
Cara Berridge, cello
Daniel Tong, piano

The London Bridge Trio is one of Britain’s leading chamber ensembles, known for their deeply nuanced and searching interpretations. Formed in 2002, they continue their original mission of prioritising strong, composer-led programmes, often collaborating with regular guest artists. Their name reflects an admiration for English music of the early twentieth century, which forms part of the group’s varied repertoire and is represented by their hugely successful Frank Bridge recordings. For 2022 and beyond, founder Daniel Tong is joined by Ben Hancox and Cara Berridge, both members of the acclaimed Sacconi Quartet with whom Daniel has performed on numerous occasions.

Over recent years the trio has appeared frequently in London with Wigmore Hall and Kings Place concerts as well as a residency at St John’s Smith Square, entitled ‘Brahms and his World’, which represented four aspects of his composing life with mixed combinations and song. Their concert of Czech music at Champs Hill in Sussex was broadcast live by BBC Radio 3, and their concerts at St George’s Bristol were broadcast as a series of BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts. The group has also appeared at venues including Queen’s Hall, St George’s and the Ponte de Lima Festival (Portugal).

The London Bridge Trio has a strong reputation in the recording field. In 2019 the trio released ‘The Leipzig Circle’, a new disc of works celebrating unheard female composers from the 1800s, involving the works of Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn and Robert and Clara Schumann (SOMM Recordings). The disc, Volume 1 of a trio of CDs (they will record the complete piano trios by Schumann and Mendelssohn), garnered high praise; The Telegraph called it “a total delight… The performers do the works proud.” Gramophone Magazine and BBC Music Magazine joined The Telegraph in praising the new disc: “Everything here is played with sensitivity and conviction” (Gramophone); “The London Bridge Trio offer a fascinating glimpse into Leipzig… their works inhabit distinctive, highly Romantic soundworlds full of invention and drama” (BBC Music Magazine).

In Autumn 2015 the trio released a disc of Dvorak Piano Quartets on the Champs Hill label, with guest violist Gary Pomeroy of the Heath Quartet. The album received rave reviews in Gramophone, BBC Music Magazine (double five stars) and the Observer. The ensemble’s recordings of works by Frank Bridge were also released by Dutton and met with plaudits from the critics, including unreserved commendations from Gramophone Magazine, International Record Review, American Record Guide and BBC Radio 3 (CD Review). Their second Bridge disc was shortlisted for the Gramophone Chamber Music Award 2011. Their Schumann recording for Sonimage Classics drew observations such as “rendered with a bubbling brilliance”, and “heart touchingly eloquent” from the Sunday Times. A collection of works by Fauré followed on Sonimage Classics, and received excellent reviews from both The Strad and Gramophone magazines.

Thought-provoking pre-concert talks and lecture-recitals are something the trio is increasingly known for, and their collaboration with Richard Wigmore continues, exploring together the influences, connections and history of masterworks for the genre. The trio also has a long association with baritone Ivan Ludlow, enabling the inclusion of Lieder alongside connected chamber works.

In 2008 the ensemble founded its own festival, the Winchester Chamber Music Festival, in the hometown of their cellist Kate Gould. The festival welcomes capacity audiences each year in late April/early May and the trio have secured their reputation for stylish programmes involving exceptional international artists. In 2018 the festival celebrated its tenth anniversary with the world premiere of a new work written for the trio by Colin Matthews, ‘Hidden Agenda’, and the trio were joined by the Heath Quartet for a series of sold-out concerts. Guest artists have included the Gould trio and the Navarra quartet as well as members of the Elias Quartet and Kungsbacka Trio.