Shield: String Trios Nos. 1 - 9

The English composer William Shield was famous for his operas and pantomimes. He was admired by Joseph Haydn, who exerted a lasting influence on him, and despite his relatively poor background, he rose to become Master of the King's Music. His string trios from 1791 were written in Rome and represent a remarkable new high point in the English chamber music repertoire of that time. Shield's scores are characterized by an enlightened cosmopolitanism, which combines Spanish, Russian, Slavic and Haydn-esque elements into his ingenious and appealing blend of styles. The Dorrit Ensemble has been performing regularly in Australia and New Zealand since 2019. Violinist Elizabeth Layton was a winner of the UK Concert Artists Trust Competition and has performed as a soloist with major orchestras worldwide. Her recordings include the complete piano trios by Ludwig van Beethoven (nominated for a Gramophone Award) and works for violin and piano by Franz Schubert (Daily Telegraph CD Choice). She was Associate Leader of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Concertmaster of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (1997–2010). Caroline Henbest was the violist of the highly acclaimed Mistry String Quartet (based at the University of York) and the Scottish Ensemble.