Concert Review—

A Visit By Amelia Piano Trio Made It Worth

Spending A Few Hours Inside On A Beautiful Afternoon

By Julie Stern

Sunday was a beautiful day in early fall, yet Edmond Town Hall’s auditorium was nearly full with music lovers flocking to hear the first of the 2006-07 season’s six chamber music concerts being sponsored by Newtown Friends of Music. It was worth coming indoors for the afternoon.

Chamber music is a team effort with the players interacting to produce a harmonious sound and interpret the composer’s plan. Thus the chemistry that exists among the members is so important. It was obvious to everyone who saw and heard them that this young group – violinist Anthea Kreston, cellist Jason Duckles, and pianist Reiko Aizawa – clearly like each other, and were having a wonderful time on stage. Their high spirits and enthusiasm were infectious, and lit up the room.

The program began with Beethoven’s Trio in D Major, Opus 70, No. 1 (“Ghost”). This work, from his later period, reflects both the terrible emotional crisis of his deafness, which had become permanent, but also the calm serenity with which he was eventually able to accept that fact, and deal with it through the personal expression of his music.

The trio balanced two strongly contrasting motifs – the powerful Allegro of the first movement, against the sustained Largo in the middle. These two were resolved in the  warm and melodious Presto of the final movement.

The second number on the program was Antonin Dvorak’s Trio in E minor, Opus 90 (the “Dumky”). Dumky is the plural of Dumka, a Slavic folk song. Drawing on his Bohemian heritage, Dvorak used this work to suggest a wooded campfire in the mountains, where the wives and children of a warlike people gathered to trade tales of the exploits of their men, and to mourn those who were lost in battle.

The “Dumky” thus is a collection of some ten short movements, alternating spirited Allegros and Vivaces with more mournful, but always melodic, Adagios and Lentos. Although it was demanding to play, this piece was particularly easy to follow and listen to.

After the intermission, the rest of the program was given over to Felix Mendelssohn’s Trio in D minor, Opus 49, thus saving the best for last. Acting on the advice of a friend, Mendelssohn borrowed some of the new techniques perfected by Chopin and Liszt, to develop the piano part to a virtuosic concert style.

It was clear that Ms Aizawa was up to the challenge. At whirlwind speeds, every note was crystal clear and buoyant. Meanwhile the melody was picked up and presented by Ms Kreston’s violin, while Mr. Duckles kept up the perfect rhythm on his cello. The whole thing was an exhilarating tour de force.

When it was over, the performers were beaming and the audience members were on their feet giving a well deserved standing ovation. This was a splendid beginning to a richly ambitious season for the Friends.