Troïka concert features Russian composers
A triple tour de force
performance!
Reviewed by Nancy Snipper
On December 10th, concert history was made inside Montreal’s
Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur with the brilliant performance of Trio
Fibonacci. The works of three iconic Russian composers – Anton Arenski, Dmitri
Chostakovitch and Sergueï Rachmaninov were presented.
The Russian term “troïka” – the concert title, refers to the erection of
a three horse-statue that symbolized Russian greatness. Nowadays, it alludes to
something mighty comprising a total of three parts, such as a triptych or the
unification of three to make greatness.
Certainly, given last night’s performance, this notion was realized musically
– brilliantly embodied by the three stellar musicians of Trio Fibonacci. They
are: violinist, Julia-Anne Derome; cellist, Gabriel Prynn and pianist, Wonny
Song. These outstanding artists gave jaw-dropping performances. Only the most
gifted of musicians would dare tackle this all-Russian program that demanded
unbridled passion, Herculean technical prowess and power, along with the an acute
sense of emotional restraint and musical maturity to render the complex music
an interpretive stand-out.
Brimming with beauty, pathos and expressive passion, compositional
colours brought back distinct musical traditions from Russian as it say on the
watershed of Stalin’s strong arm into the 20th-century. The music
summoned up the country’s dances, songs and mystical passages resonating with
the music of the Orthodox Church. But of course, the pieces exploded with
profoundly intricate melodies and emotions that traveled the gamut of sweet
love to painful loss and all the ranges in between. The program resolutely
reflected all the complexities that marked the various personalities and events
that influenced each composer.
There was barely a moment in the two-hour program that allowed any
member of the Trio to rest. The compositions comprised attacking crescendos
that abruptly dying into a moments of diminuendo and then back into twisting
passages of deep musical nuances and dramatic flamboyance. This was a program
whose works vividly wove that distinct Russian romantic vernacular that has
endured and stirred us – no matter our own provenance. Opening the program was
Arenski’s “Trio in D minor, Op. 32”. Violin and cello stood their ground both
as soloists and as harmonic partners that often echoed each other’s melody line
with richness framed within a myriad of piano romance. The trio’s expressiveness and timing
beautifully merged; the effect was sublime. Marvellous tonal shifts were
displayed in the playing, and interpretive variety was masterfully
accomplished. From the opening perturbing mood of undulating piano notes in the Allegro Moderato to the light-hearted Scherzo, with its frolicking
humour conveyed in plucking and bow bouncing on strings - we were delivered a
potpourri of dazzling music.
Arenski was a prized prodigy student of Rimski-Korsakov. His three operas,
choral compositions, a ballet, concerti and orchestra works brought him
acclaim, making him a highly sought-after successful composer – so much so that
his teacher became jealous of him. Arenski packed into his short life so many
works, including those for piano – the instrument he played – that one can only
admire the prodigious work ethic of this musical genius whose life was cut
short far too early; he died at the age of 45.
Chostakovitch’s “Trio in C minor, Opus 8” offered dissonance and in
contrast - incomparable sweetness. The macabre and the magnificent spun us into
realms of ecstasy and deep sorrow. His music embodied his emotional torment and
peaks of joy. When he was 11, he witnessed his friend being killed in the street
by a gendarme of the Tsarist police. He lived through the unsuccessful
revolution of 1905 and all the turbulence thereafter. He was utterly committed
to compose music evocative of the Russian spirit.
Finally, Rachmaninov’s “Trio Élegiaque No 2, Opus 9” was owned by the
pianist, Mr Song – particularly evident in the second movement of eight
variations. Excruciating pain as heard in the high fast ascensions of violin
and cello, and an endless passage of gentle piano note trilling on the Fazioli
showed great sensitivity and remarkable musicianship.
This concert was akin to a non-stop ride through the Russian countryside
where huge mountains, valleys, rivers and plains filled with floral splendour translated
musically – where suffering and joy magnified the images which elicited emotions
of great magnitude. The technical stamina and virtuoso playing of Trio
Fibonacci is second to none; yet never – not for a second – was any moment of
the musical intent set aside in order to get the all notes out. What an astounding
concert!!
On February 25th the Trio will give their next concert once
again in the venue of la Chapelle historique
du Bon-Pasteur (100 Sherbrooke Street West). It’s an ideal noble place for
intimate chamber music to reach your soul and stir your senses.
Hayden, Mozart, Beethoven and Onslow are on the program.
For more information, call
(438) 380-8627. Trio Fibonacci’s website is: www.triofibonacci.com
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