The Amelio Trio had been enticed by West Wight Arts to drive over from Germany to play at the first concert of their new season to a packed audience. And what a trio!
These three young artists, only in their mid twenties have been playing together since they were 13 and have already won several major competitions.
The trio comprised Johanna Schubert, violin, Merle Geissler, cello and Philipp Kirchner at the piano.
A musical bond built since childhood
They began with a Haydn Trio which immediately showed their emotional musical tie to each other. Just the lift of an eyebrow or the slightest nod was a firm shorthand that each understood and reacted to accordingly.
This piece only has two movements and requires precision and timing but as with so much of Haydn, there is also light-heartedness and optimism.
Light-heartedness and precision in Haydn
The next trio was not classical but romantic, Schumann’s Piano Trio no 3 in G minor. It was written two years before his attempted suicide and his conflicted state of mind can be heard. Dramatic passages give way to softer, lyrical ones and the overall effect of the four movements is beautiful.
It would be all too easy for the piano to surge above the two string players, but with this wonderful group of players, they understand the dynamics of this and all the works they play. The combined tone they achieve is masterful.
Conflict and lyricism in Schumann’s third trio
They then played Lera Auerbach’s Piano Trio No.1. She composed the first two movements in 1992 when she had left the Soviet Union and was alone in the West wondering if she would ever see her family again and she completed it in 1996.
The Amelio were at their best in this work which must be fiendishly difficult to play and requires great virtuosity from all players, which it certainly received.
Virtuosity tested in Auerbach’s first trio
Their final piece was Brahms’ last Piano Trio, no 3 in C minor. There is something majestic in Brahms compositions but always lyrical and it allowed each of the three musicians to give full rein to their individual talent.
The audience at the close of the concert were ecstatic and went home hoping to have the opportunity to hear The Amelio Trio again in the not too distant future.
News shared by Jackie Warner on behalf of West Wight Arts. Ed
