Another first for Leamington Music as the Emperor Piano Trio introduced Anton Arensky's Piano Trio No 1 in D minor Op 32. Arensky's music is most romantic, tuneful and with stirring melodic passages.
Russian born, Arensky was a pupil of Rimsky-Kor
sakov and much influenced by Tchaikovsky.
His Piano Trio No 1, written in 1894, should be heard much more, as the scherzo provides amusement, the elegia rocks gently along and the finale demands great intensity and technical virtuosity.
Piano and violin began the theme setting in the allegro, to be joined by the cello echoing the violin-established melody. The Trio bring together instrumentalists from China, Korea and Japan. Beethoven's 'Ghost' Piano Trio opened their programme, and I was fascinated watching Naomi Iwase (piano) as she talked her way through the piece, particularly the long wraithlike second movement.
Then came Ravel, a composer who brought an oriental flavour to his work. There was even a touch of Vaughan Williams in the delightful slow movement, before a stunning climax (final, animé) tested the technical skills of this talented trio much to the satisfaction of the inclusive Mother's Day audience.
Perhaps here in Leamington we have created an icon of a "common culture that everybody can feel part of" as Margaret Hodge suggests we should!
Clive Peacock
Verdict: Romantic and tuneful
The full article contains 235 words and appears in Leamington Courier newspaper.
