The Trio Parnassus has maintained a reputation as one of the finest piano trios in Germany from the latter-twentieth and early-twenty first centuries despite a fair number of personnel changes. The ensemble has developed a reputation for straddling two rather distinctive worlds in its repertory choices: while it plays standards from the Classical and Romantic periods, as well as many twentieth century and contemporary works, it has also devoted much time to the rediscovery of forgotten compositions by nineteenth century composers like Woldemar Bargiel, Joseph Rheinberger, Philipp Scharwenka, and several others. Moreover, the Trio has unearthed previously unheard works by mainstream masters like Robert Schumann: in 2005 the Trio premiered (and later recorded) Schumann's early C minor Quartet in a new version (the original had missing parts) by Schumann scholar Dr. Joachim Draheim. The Trio Parnassus has made over 30 recordings, all for German label MD&G. The Trio Parnassus was formed in 1982 on the initiative of its cellist, the only original member still with the group, Michael Gross. Parnassus players pianist Chia Chou, violinist Yamei Yu, and Gross represent the fourth different grouping. They have been in place since 2005, the time when Yu replaced violinist Wolfgang Schroder. Schroder, in turn, replaced violinist Wolf-Dieter Streicher in 1996 and Chia Chou replaced pianist Friedmann Rieger in 1989. Through all the changes the ensemble has maintained a consistently spirited style and polished technique: while the sound may have changed, the level of play has, if anything, improved over the years. From its inception the ensemble impressed critics and public alike. Early recordings include an album of the complete piano trios of Mozart, issued in 1991, and it was the critical reaction to this two-CD set that garnered international acclaim for the group. Further successes ensued: in 1996 the Parnassus players debuted in New York at Lincoln Center and scored a major triumph. The following year they debuted at Wigmore Hall in London, and in 1999 at Washington's National Gallery, both times with great success. In the new century the ensemble has remained busy with concert dates throughout Europe, including at Valencia, Spain (November 2006), Amsterdam (February 2007), and Sint-Truiden, Belgium (February 2007). Recordings include a 2005 two-CD set of the complete piano trios of Rheinberger and a 2006 SACD issue of Schumann piano quartets with violist Hariolf Schlichtig. By 2010, the ensemble had recorded the complete piano trios of over 20 composers, ranging from Mozart to Gade to Vasks.