Cello Fire from Iceland (11/15/12)

I did not make this title up. Personally, I would not choose this title.

Okay, now that that’s out of the way, I attended a concert at the American-Scandinavian Foundation (thank you, WQXR for the free tickets!). I have been in the building before for an art exhibit, but this was my first visit to the Victor Borge auditorium—and, no, there was no humor involved.

The players: Meena Bhasin (viola); Owen Dalby (violin); Saeunn Thorsteindottir (cello) (and, no, I’m not attempting the diacriticals!); and Per Tengstrand (piano).

All of that said, this was a lovely program played very well. The program was String trio in B flat Major D. 471 Allegro (Franz Schubert: 1797–1828); Fantasy Pieces for cello and piano Op. 73 (Robert Schumann: 1810–1856); and Piano Quartet in g Minor op. 25 (Johannes Brahms: 1833–1897).

All three pieces were played very well in a concert that was formal—but with little informalities throughout.

The opening trio was a little bit on the quiet side—almost thin writing, but that was appropriate. The Schumann was definitely more in the Romantic style, with the piano and cello being truly equal partners. The harmonies were a bit more developed and a bit more lush.

The Brahms had a lengthy Allegro with a fiery coda; an Intermezzo that opened with string trio but then advanced to full quartet writing; an Andante that opened with a chorale-like sequence; and a Presto (Rondo) that brought everything back into the fold.

This was a lovely evening of Romantic era music played by a very enthusiastic group of young musicians. Just the right thing for me. Thanks again to WQXR—I’ll enter another giveaway after one month has elapsed.

ConcertMeister