Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 20, 1992 TAG: 9201200006
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SETH WILLIAMSON SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
UVA TRIO PRECISE, BUT A BIT RESERVED
Charlottesville's Monticello Trio brought a major new work to Olin Hall at Roanoke College on Saturday night. The University of Virginia's resident chamber ensemble performed English composer Nicholas Maw's Trio as part of the Roanoke Valley Chamber Music Society's season.Also on the program were the Trio in A Major, Hob. XV:18 of Franz Josef Haydn and the Trio in C Minor, Op. 66 of Felix Mendelssohn.
The Monticellos showed themselves to be thoroughly accomplished and unflashy performers. The Haydn got a pristine performance with jewel-like precision, but it was perhaps just a bit too reserved. The trio played this one close to their chests, so to speak, with a classical reserve that was somewhat mannered.
The dance-like section that begins the final movement could have used a little more raw exuberance. The humor in this final rondo is pretty broad for Haydn, but the final effect was somewhat prim.
As for Maw's Trio, let's make one thing clear right away: there were a lot of satisfied customers in Olin Hall after this piece, which can't be said for every 20th-century chamber work.
The Monticello Trio commissioned the work, premiered it in England eight months ago and have been working to polish their performance since.
Maw's critical star is rising right now, with a current EMI compact disc of his massive "Odyssey" symphony garnering good reviews. His work is much more accessible than most composers of his generation (he is 57), with long melodic lines and triad-based harmonies.
He writes lovely, long-breathed melodies, and is capable of producing effects of almost symphonic richness and depth from only three instruments.
The trio began with an extended song-like passage for piano in a loping irregular rhythm which was taken up by the other two instruments. There were moments of great melodic beauty, most featuring Mathias Wexler's cello, and the piece ended triumphantly in D major. Several audience members gave the work a standing ovation, and there were enthusiastic shouts of "Bravo!"
The Monticello Trio has a wonderful pianist in Tannis Gibson. She plays with a fluid and always sure touch, and her abundant technical facility is married to a mature musicality. In an era when mere technical skill too often passes for musicianship, it was a pleasure to hear such an accomplished young artist.
The group devoted the final half of its concert to Mendelssohn's 1845 Trio in C minor. It was a strong and almost flawless performance which again struck me as too reticent in spots. But the emotion flowed freely in the final movement's gorgeous hymn tune, which eventually brings the work to an end.
The trio rewarded the Olin Hall audience with an encore that consisted of the first movement of Paul Schoenfield's "Cafe Music," a jazzy ragtime outing with a happy sense of fun.
\ AUTHOR Seth Williamson produces feature news stories and a classical music program on public radio station WVTF (89.1 FM) in Roanoke.