Buriedtreasure

Violinist Priya Mitchell shares three musical rarities from her record collection

Babadzhanian Piano Trio in F sharp minor

Arno Babadzhanian (piano),

David Oistrakh (violin),

Sviatoslav Knushevitsky (cello) Doremi DHR 7820

Arno Babadzhanian was an Armenian composer and he wrote a fantastic Piano Trio. I first discovered and performed it with two extraordinary Armenian musicians, pianist Marianna Shirinyan and cellist Mika Hakhnazaryan, which was a great privilege not least because they grew up with the music. It is deeply passionate, visceral and heart-breaking in its melancholic intensity.

Tchaikovsky Valse Sentimentale

Ivry Gitlis (violin),

Shigeo Neriki (piano)

Eastworld TOCE-9065

This arrangement for violin and piano is not particularly well known, and it’s hardly ever played. It’s one of the gems of violin miniature repertoire, and for me it’s one of the most beautiful, exquisite pieces that exist for violin and piano. It’s also a very personal choice, because Ivry Gitlis was a friend. I met him at Prussia Cove and we had a very close relationship. This particular recording always brings tears to my eyes; I remember him playing it in Oxford when he was 89.

Musorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. for Piano Quartet)

Fauré Quartett

Berlin Classics 0301116BC

The piano quartet arrangement of this was a complete revelation for me. In this setting you have the possibility of even more agility, colour and flexibility in the interpretation. I think this is the best arrangement of the work; that might be controversial for me to say! The colourful tonal diversity that you can find through the instruments and the effects that you can get make for an incredible listening experience.

Priya Mitchell is artistic director of Oxford Chamber Music Festival, 3-7 October