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{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Ahn Trio
| image           = Ahn Trio (anyjazz65).jpg
| image_size      = 250
| landscape       = yes
| origin          = New York City
| genre           = [[Classical music|Classical]], [[Crossover (music)|crossover]], [[alternative rock]]
| years_active    = 1989–present
| label           = [[Sony Masterworks]], [[EMI Classics]]
| associated_acts =
| website         = {{URL|www.ahntrio.com}}
| current_members = 
* Maria Ahn
* Lucia Ahn
* Angella Ahn
}}

The '''Ahn Trio''' is a [[Classical music|classical]] [[piano]] trio composed of three sisters: Angella (violin), Lucia (piano), and Maria (cello) Ahn; Lucia and Maria are twins. Born in Seoul, Korea, they moved to New York City in 1981, and began their training at the [[Juilliard School]]. The sisters formed a trio while they were earning their master's degrees at Juilliard.<ref>{{cite news|last = Cary|first = Emily|title = The Ahn Trio: A zesty panorama of BraziliAHN|url = http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/music/2011/10/ahn-trio-zesty-panorama-braziliahn|accessdate = 27 November 2011|newspaper = The Washington Examiner|date = 10 October 2011}}{{dead link|date=July 2015}}</ref> The Ahn Trio is known for its performance of new classical music, genre-crossing programming, and collaborations with other artists.

==Media recognition==

The trio achieved widespread recognition in the United States in 1987, when ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine featured them in a cover story about Asian-American "Whiz Kids".<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Brand|first=David|author2=Jennifer Hull|author3=Jeannie Park|author4=James Willwerth|title=The New Whiz Kids: Why Asian Americans are doing so well, and what it costs them |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=1987-08-31 |volume=130|issue=9}}</ref> Since then, the trio has appeared in magazines multiple times, acknowledging that they seek to "get in the mainstream magazines as classical artists" in order to promote classical music's image.<ref name="youtube1">{{cite web|last=Sony BMG Masterworks interview|title=Ahn Trio - Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac EPK|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcsUVKo-UE4|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=28 November 2011}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> In 2003, they were selected by ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine as three of the "50 Most Beautiful People"<ref>{{cite journal|title = Ahn Trio|journal =[[People (magazine)|People]] |date = 5 December 2003|volume = 59|issue = 18|page = 138}}</ref> and have been featured in ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'', ''[[GQ]],'' and in ads for [[Gap Inc.|Gap]] and [[Anne Klein (fashion designer)|Anne Klein]]. They have been photographed by photographers [[Arthur Elgort]], [[Ellen von Unwerth]], and [[Walter Chin]]. The trio is often noted for their attractive appearance and fashion choices.<ref>{{cite news|last=the photogenic Korean sister act|first=Hesse, Monica and Roxanne Roberts|title=White House state dinner for South Korea has sparkles amid the rain|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/white-house-state-dinner-for-south-korea-has-sparkles-amid-the-rain/2011/10/13/gIQAr8RniL_story_1.html|accessdate=27 November 2011|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=2011-10-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=The sisters chose glamorous outfits|first=Griffiths, Paul|title=Well, It's Not Exactly Your Father's Piano Trio|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/16/movies/music-review-well-it-s-not-exactly-your-father-s-piano-trio.html?scp=4&sq=ahn%20trio&st=cse|accessdate=27 November 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=1998-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=No Ahn Trio concert would be complete without a fashion bulletin... .|first=Bargreen, Melinda|title=Ahn Trio delights with blend of skill and sass|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20020321/ahn21/ahn-trio-delights-with-blend-of-skill-and-sass|access-date=28 November 2011|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=2002-03-21}}</ref>

==Repertoire and collaborations==

The Ahn Trio performs a diverse set of genres, ranging from new classical music to arrangements of popular songs. In addition to recognized works of the classical piano trio repertoire, such as that found on their first two albums (one of which, ''Dvořák, Suk, Shostakovich: Piano Trios'', earned them a German [[Echo (music award)|Echo]] award) the sisters have performed arrangements of popular music (including songs by [[David Bowie]] and [[the Doors]]) and have commissioned works by composers including [[Michael Nyman]], [[Mark O'Connor]], [[Roberto Carnevale]], and Ronn Yedidia.

The Ahn Trio's collaborations include an acoustic project with alternative rock band [[Tata Bojs]], with whom they performed live at the Czech Grammys and recorded an album, ''smetana'', and performances with the [[Parsons Dance Company|David Parsons Dance Company]]. They appeared on MTV's "[[MTV Unplugged|Unplugged]]" with [[Bryan Adams]], which inspired the title of their album ''Ahn-Plugged''.  "Ahn-Plugged" has also been used by the trio as a term for their commissioning and performing new works.<ref>{{cite news|last=Griffiths|first=Paul|title=Well, It's Not Exactly Your Father's Piano Trio|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/16/movies/music-review-well-it-s-not-exactly-your-father-s-piano-trio.html?src=pm|accessdate=28 November 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=1998-10-16}}</ref>

''Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac'' features collaborations with vocalists [[Susie Suh]] and Ema Brabcová and with DJs Tao of Sound, [[DJ Spooky]], [[Superdrive]], and Ra.D. for four remix tracks on the album.

==Performances and appearances==

The Ahn Trio performs frequently throughout the United States, and also gives workshops and master classes at middle schools, high schools, and colleges, seeking to bring new audiences to classical music.<ref name="youtube1"/> Their performances often include visually appealing staging<ref>{{cite news|last=Griffiths|first=Paul|title=Well, It's Not Exactly Your Father's Piano Trio|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/16/movies/music-review-well-it-s-not-exactly-your-father-s-piano-trio.html?scp=4&sq=ahn%20trio&st=cse|accessdate=28 November 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=1998-10-16}}</ref> and programs that are announced and discussed from the stage by the trio.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bargreen|first=Melinda|title=Ahn Trio delights with blend of skill and sass|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20020321/ahn21/ahn-trio-delights-with-blend-of-skill-and-sass|access-date=28 November 2011|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=2002-03-21}}</ref>

Maria Ahn recorded guest cello parts for the album ''[[April Rain]]'' by Dutch symphonic metal band [[Delain]]. The record came out in March 2009.

In December 2010, the Ahn Trio appeared in the [[TED (conference)|TED Conference]] as part of the TEDWomen series, performing ''Skylife'' by [[David Balakrishnan]] and ''Oblivion'' by [[Astor Piazzolla]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ahn Trio: A modern take on piano, violin, cello|url=http://www.ted.com/talks/ahn_trio_a_modern_take_on_piano_violin_cello.html|publisher=TED|accessdate=26 November 2011}}</ref>

Their recording of "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" by Michael Nyman, from their album ''Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac,'' appeared in ''[[So You Think You Can Dance]]'' in the show's final episode of season 8 on August 10, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 4/Winner Recaps |url=http://www.fox.com/dance/recaps/season-8/episode-14 |publisher=FOX |accessdate=26 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107094440/http://www.fox.com/dance/recaps/season-8/episode-14 |archivedate=November 7, 2011 }}</ref>

The Ahn Trio performed at the [[White House State Dinner]] honoring South Korean [[Lee Myung-bak|President Lee Myung-bak]] on October 13, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hesse|first=Monica|title=White House state dinner for South Korea has sparkles amid the rain|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/white-house-state-dinner-for-south-korea-has-sparkles-amid-the-rain/2011/10/13/gIQAr8RniL_story.html|accessdate=27 November 2011|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=2011-10-13|author2=Roxanne Roberts}}</ref>

==Discography==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="width:5%;"|Year
! style="width:36%;"|Album details
! style="width:59%;" class="unsortable"|Notes

|-
! 1995
| ''Paris Rio''
* Released: April 12, 1995
* Label: [[Chesky Records|Chesky]]
|
*[[Heitor Villa-Lobos|Villa-Lobos]]: Piano Trio in C Minor
*[[Maurice Ravel|Ravel]]: Piano Trio in A Minor
|-

|-
! 1999
| ''Dvořák, Suk, Shostakovich: Piano Trios''
* Released: January 12, 1999
* Label: EMI Classics
|
*Won German [[Echo (music award)|ECHO]] award
*[[Antonín Dvořák|Dvořák]]: Piano Trio in E Minor, Op. 90 ("Dumky")
*[[Josef Suk (composer)|Suk]]: Elegie in D-flat Major, Op. 23
*[[Dmitri Shostakovich|Shostakovich]]: Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 67

|-
! 2000
| ''Ahn-Plugged''
* Released: August 15, 2000
* Label: [[EMI Classics]]
|
*Composers featured: [[Ástor Piazzolla]], [[Michael Nyman]], [[Kenji Bunch]], [[Pat Metheny]], [[Eric Ewazen]], [[Leonard Bernstein]], [[David Bowie]].
*Guest Performers: Matthew Gold (percussion) and Brian Resnick (percussion)
|-

|-
!2002
| ''Groovebox''
*Released: October 22, 2002
*Label: EMI Classics
|
*Composers featured: [[Ástor Piazzolla]], [[Michael Nyman]], [[Kenji Bunch]], [[The Doors]], [[Maurice Jarre]], Ronn Yedidia

|-
!2008
| ''Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac''
*Released: April 1, 2008
*Label: [[Sony Classical]]
|
*Composers featured: [[Ástor Piazzolla]], [[Michael Nyman]], [[David Bowie]], [[Pat Metheny]], [[Richard Rodgers]], [[Kenji Bunch]], Ronn Yedidia, [[Terry Gilkyson]], [[J.Y. Park]], [[Susie Suh]]
*Guest Artists: [[Susie Suh]] (vocals), Ema Brabcová (vocals), and remixes by [[Tao Of Sound|Tao of Sound]], [[DJ Spooky]], [[Superdrive]] and [[Ra.D]].
*Self-produced by the Ahn Trio's production company, L.A.M.P. (Lucia Angella Maria Productions)

|-
!2008
| ''smetana''
*Released: November 8, 2008
*Label: [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]
|
*Collaborative project with Czech band [[Tata Bojs]]
|-
!'''2017'''
|''Blue''
*Released: April 22, 2017
*Label: Ahn Trio Music
|
|}

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ahntrio.com Official website]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:American classical musicians of Korean descent]]
[[Category:Chesky Records artists]]
[[Category:EMI Classics and Virgin Classics artists]]
[[Category:Piano trios]]
[[Category:South Korean emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:American twins]]
[[Category:South Korean twins]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1989]]
[[Category:Sibling musical trios]]