Date: Fri 16-Feb-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Illustration: C

Location: A-11

Quick Words:

NF0M-Trio-concert-review

Full Text:

(rev Bachmann-Klibonoff-Fridman Trio/NFoM concert, 2/16/96)

Concert Review-

B-K-F Trio's Return Welcomed

(with photo)

By June April

My husband turned to me after the Bachman-Klibonoff-Trio concert at Edmond

Town Hall last Sunday afternoon and asked, "So, what do you think?" Into my

head, simultaneously, came an image and a single word:

Classic !

This, the third in the annual series of concerts sponsored by the Newtown

Friends of Music, was not flashy, but like a Coco Chanel suit: it was

understated, yet you know it's quality.

The Bachman-Klibonoff-Fridman Trio has previously performed for the Newtown

Friends of Music. This might be part of the explanation for the outstanding

turnout on February 11, but the unusually large percentage of young people was

a grand sight to behold, as well. And it was a respectively quiet and warmly

responsive audience.

Switching the previously announced order so the commissioned (for this Trio)

Shaw Variations was performed first, the program began with a contemporary

piece. Written last year by 33-year old David Sanford, this upbeat "modern"

piece is based on a composition entitled "Woody II: Other Paths." (Woody Shaw,

now deceased, was a talented jazz trumpet player as well as composer.)

In Shaw Variations , the piano largely carried the jazz melodic line through

this theme and variations. Though not always clear how the original theme was

being varied, nevertheless it was an interesting mixture of familiar jazz

melody overlaid with cello and violin musical jazz-like meandering.

It was in the second offering, Beethoven's "Archduke Trio (No 6, in B-flat

Major, Opus 97), the theme and variations were more clearly evident. This was

especially true in the second movement, or Scherzo and the third movement, and

Andante Cantabile . Although the moods of these two movements are quite

different, Beethoven plays with a melodic statement and weaves creative

musical changes from that initial theme.

Beethoven's deafness was not yet total when he wrote the "Archduke" Trio , but

it was a factor in the increasing "individuality" characteristic of

Beethoven's (especially the later) works. Perhaps the powerlessness he felt

because of increasing deafness and the futility of the doctors' efforts, the

expression of his music was ever more powerful.

There was no sentimentality in the interpretation of this work by the

Bachman-Klibonoff-Fridman Trio. Cellist Semyon Fridman's richness of tone is a

joy to hear. The clarity of Jon Klibonoff's technique on the piano is a

perfect balance for this trio. And one suspects the particularly sweet tones

produced by violinist Maria Bachman are not solely attributable to the "Ruby"

Stradivarious she currently performs on.

Ms Bachman is one of the deserving and gifted young violinists who benefits

from the Stradivari Society in Chicago. For a few years she is loaned one of

the 15 instruments owned by the society, so the instrument is played upon, and

not left sitting in its case.

Though these three musicians only formed this trio in late 1993, they have a

strong sense of the necessary cooperation that makes a group effort a

successful one. Constantly visually and emotionally tuned in to one another,

they are swayed not only by what they are playing, but their place in relation

to the dynamics, etcetera of the other musicians.

The second half of the program was given over to one work: Johannes Brahms'

Quartet No 2 in A Major, Opus 26 .

The strong influence of Hungarian culture is evident throughout this work. It

is spirited, with this energy fully realized by the trio, now a quartet. For

this composition, violist Eufrosina Raileanu, principal violist of the New

York City Opera Orchestra, joined the Bachman-Klibonoff-Fridman Trio.

The "Poco adagio," the slow second movement, was particularly glorious in its

execution. The sonorous tones soared, as if in a cathedral, and the melodic

beauty had a special richness to it.

The next concert is definitely a must for pianists and devotees of excellent

piano work. Mia Chung will perform a recital that includes the extraordinarily

beautiful Appassionata by Beethoven. Tickets are available at the box office

at Edmond Town Hall on that Sunday, March 24; or those with greater wisdom

will ensure a ticket by calling ahead, guaranteeing a seat for this special

musical opportunity. Reservations can be made by calling 426-6470. Children

between ages five and 14 are not charged, and there's only a $10 cost for

students and senior citizens.

One of the great advantages of supporting the Newtown Friends of Music is that

after the concert you get to meet and speak to the performer(s). Add this to

the incredibly reasonable price, proximity and gastronomic treats at the end

of the concert offered in the lobby, and it all amounts to another plus to

living in Fairfield County.