International String Trio

The International String Trio concert in Lamberhurst was a great success, particularly because there were two slightly unusual factors in the mix. Firstly, each of the three members of the trio are all highly successful solo and chamber artists but they’ve never played together before as a trio, and secondly because the programme was quite adventurous with a number of items included which most of the audience would not have known.  But, it was in no small part due to the virtuosity of each of the trio members that the concert was a huge success with several audience members on their feet applauding at the end.

The programme started with the Beethoven String trio in C minor and the four movements were played with great passion and energy. They were followed by three madrigals by Martinu and these imaginative pieces needed plenty of virtuoso interplay to make them work, all of which was provided by the trio. In the second half the pieces were less known starting with a piece by Peteris Vasks which was a mix of slow and tender warmth followed by hectic passion.  Both were easy to listen to as was the violin solo of a Sonata by Ysaye which Mathilde played with a virtuosity which one felt could not be easily matched. And, finally we had the five movements of the Serenade in C major by Dohnanyl, a lovely mixture of music influenced by previous composers: Brahms, Mozart, Schubert and Mahler all had a finger in the pie!

So, all in all, a lovely and rewarding evening with many appreciative comments from the audience as they departed. And a very weary trio after a long concert!