Challenging pieces played movingly

Cropper/Welsh/Roscoe Trio, Bridge House Theatre, March 20.

FORTY-seven minutes of breathtaking lyricism brought the winter season concert series to a close.

Peter Cropper, Moray Welsh and Martin Roscoe tackled Tchaikovsky’s piano trio in A minor Op 50 – arguably the most difficult piece he wrote for the piano – showing total command and fine clarity of playing.

Roscoe’s rippling piano and Welsh’s artistic cello efforts led from the darkly brooding opening movement, through the gorgeous variations to the death march and a deliberate long pause after the final statement before receiving audience appreciation. Thank heavens we were spared the all-too-frequent shrieks of delight, now common-place at Symphony Hall, as the last note is played.

Old favourites, the Martinu String Quartet, returned to the Pump Room to play Mozart, Martinu and Dvorak. The tragic character of the Martinu last movement results from fears of the threat of war (written in 1918) and sadness emanating from his not-too-productive relationship with Vitezslava Kapralova, the young Czech composer for whom he had strong feelings. Movingly played.

Dvorak’s Quartet in G Op 106 requires the discipline and passion so readily shown by quartet leader Lubomir Havlak. A tender second movement, joyous third and the haunting folk themes of the last movement brought their return visit to a wonderful close.

Clive Peacock