The Van Baerle Trio was founded in 2004 by pianist Hannes Minnaar, violinist Maria Milstein and cellist Gideon den Herder. The trio's name refers to the street where it all began: Rue Van Baerle in Amsterdam. The three musicians met while studying at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, a stone's throw from the Concertgebouw, which they consider their musical home.

After winning the 2011 Vriendenkrans Competition at the Concertgebouw and playing there on numerous occasions, the Van Baerle Trio was nominated by this famous concert hall for ECHO Rising Stars 2013/14, a tour that has taken the trio to some of Europe's biggest concert venues, including the Musikverein in Vienna, the Barbican in London, the Cité de la Musique in Paris, L'Auditori in Barcelona and the Philharmonie in Cologne.

Before embarking on this European tour, the Van Baerle Trio had already established an international reputation after winning prizes at the ARD International Music Competition in Munich in 2013 and the Lyon International Chamber Music Competition in 2011, as well as the Audience Prize at both competitions. In the Netherlands, the trio has been awarded the Kersjes Prize, a grant that supports an outstanding young Dutch group every year.

The Van Baerle Trio was formed under the direction of Dmitri Ferschtman and received lessons from Ferenc Rados and Claus-Christian Schuster, among others. Meeting Menahem Pressler in 2008 was a great source of inspiration for the three musicians, who have since played for him on several occasions. Keen to share their experience with the next generation of musicians, the trio members have been teaching at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam since 2014.

The Van Baerle Trio's first CD, featuring works by Saint-Saëns, Loevendie and Ravel, won an Edison Award in 2013. This CD was followed by an album devoted to Mendelssohn's piano trios, including the world premiere recording of the first Piano Trio in D minor. The Van Baerle Trio has recorded the complete Beethoven piano trios; the three volumes have been hailed by the international press.

Maria Milstein plays a violin by Michel Angelo Bergonzi and Gideon den Herder a cello by Giuseppe dall 'Aglio and a bow attributed to Dominique Peccatte, all kindly lent by the Dutch Musical Instrument Foundation.