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7 Sep 2009 : NZTrio concert at Mill's Reef on Sunday
The New Zealand Trio presented drama, romance and innovation to the concert audience at Mill's Reef last night (Sunday Sept 6). Violinist Justine Cormack, cellist Ashley Brown and pianist Sarah Watkins gave a rivetting account of themselves beginning with Haydn's trio No 45 in E Flat Major, a typical stylish and joyful work from Haydn's later period. An uplifting choice for the start of a concert. The trio demonstrated excellent ensemble playing and a deep understanding of their programme during the evening.
Ravel's intense Piano Trio in A Minor followed as a complete contrast to the first piece with exotic themes and rhythms, some from the Basque country and others from Eastern sources.
A New Zealand resident Wayan Gde Yudane was commissioned by the trio to write the third piece on the programme, a two movement trio entitled Entering the Stream. It had echoes of gamelan music in the first movement and the second movement featured long lines of piano melody providing a backdrop for more chordal playing of the cello and violin.
A very satisfactory end to the programme was Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No 2 in C Minor Opus 66. Like the Haydn trio this is one of Mendelssohn's later works and is remarkable for the tempestuous and dramatic writing. The members of the New Zealand Trio did it complete justice and brought out the lyricism, excitement, rhythm and brilliance of the work.
The three have performed together since 2002 and from 2004 to 2009 they were ensemble in residence at the University of Auckland. They aimed to commission works by leading New Zealand composers for their repertoire - but in the past 12 months that aim has expanded to include emerging and established composers from China. Last night's concert was the last in the 2009 Tauranga Musica's concert series. Their involvement in Tauranga's musical scene is something we can all be grateful for.
Val Sherriff - Bay of Plenty Times
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