| Trio Sospiroso |
Biographies |
Programmes |
Future Concerts |
Reviews |
Contact |
Links |
Home |
| HEAVENLY PLAYING Trio Sospiroso at St Mary’s church, Kintbury, 22nd November |
|
St Cecilia’s Day was the perfect date for a delightful concert of music for flute, viola and harp in the warm acoustic of St Mary’s church given by a trio of local musicians. The venue was resplendent with flowers from a recent wedding and the musicians, elegantly attired in various hues of green, had their music lit by equally elegant lampshades, creating almost a drawing room atmosphere. The Trio’s name comes from a performance direction (‘sospiroso’ means sighingly) in the second movement of Debussy’s Sonate of 1915, written for this particular combination of instruments, which opened the second half of the programme. This was the perfect piece to showcase the considerable talents of Clare Mellor (flute), Sue Black (viola) and Jenny Broome (harp) as it moved through various moods, ranging from melancholy to anger. Those familiar with Debussy’s music may have recognised the presence of the whole-tone scale and more than a passing resemblance to his orchestral Prelude à l’après-midi d’un faune with its melodious outpouring and rippling arpeggios. In contrast to this original piece, the first half contained arrangements of music for alternative instrumental forces. Bach’s Sonata in G minor, consisting of two allegro movements framing a central adagio in compound time, was the ideal vehicle for Clare Mellor’s crisp flute playing, while viola and harp provided ‘continuo’ accompaniment. The substitution of the mellow timbre of the harp for the brittler tone of the harpsichord offered the listener a different aural experience. This was followed by Beethoven’s four-movement Serenade, Op.25. Here, the harp took over the original violin part resulting in further unusual sonorities. The third movement’s attractive variations allowed all three instruments their moment in the spotlight. The performers’ faces were a picture of concentration throughout. The programme was completed by one of Piazzolla’s lively tangos, specifically Night-Club 1960, in which Jenny Broome’s harp stood in for the guitar, followed by Edward Watson’s Aegean Dances, an evocative set of pieces given their première by Trio Sospiroso in 2004. Thus concluded an evening of heavenly playing which will hopefully be repeated at a later date. Trevor Defferd |
| ------------------------ |
|
The church was filled with the delightful sound of Trio Sospiroso in this St. Cecilia’s Day concert. The performers were Clare Mellor (flute), Sue Black (viola) and Jenny Broome (harp). This is a lovely combination of timbres, with the plucked strings of the harp, the dark, rich viola sound and the mellow edge-tones of the flute. The harp in particular proved to be the most versatile of all the instruments, taking the role of harpsichord in “Sonata in G minor” by J.S. Bach, guitar in “Histoire du Tango” by Piazzolla, even violin in “Serenade” by Beethoven and being itself too! The Beethoven work was light-hearted after the intense and vibrant sounds of the Bach, which opened the concert. Beethoven was not keen on the harp, so he must have been turning in his grave at this arrangement by Ami Maayani! After the interval, Jenny Broome explained about the workings of the harp and the difference between her instrument, a double action concert harp, and the chromatic harp, for which Debussy composed his “Sonate”. This intense work of 1915 opened the second half, a real musicians’ piece. The composer was angry about the war, including directions in French and signing himself, “musician Français”. There was anger in the music too, alongside other emotions, such as “sospiroso” (sighing). Trio Sospiroso took their name from this term when they played together for the first time in 1995. Piazzolla (1921-1992) is the composer to include in a concert these days. His “Histoire du Tango” for flute and harp was no disappointment, and left us longing to hear more. The concert concluded with “Aegean Dances” (2004) by Edward Watson, who wrote these pieces for Trio Sospiroso. Here we were taken on holiday to Greece, where we imagined we were lying on a beach, dancing and partying. This was an evening of contrasts. We are most grateful to the performers for giving up their Sunday afternoon and evening to rehearse and perform to a most appreciative audience. We hope they will pay us a return visit. Rosemary Evans |
| ------------------------ |