A new concert series is always to be welcomed. KHFM Performance Live, which presented its debut concert on Sunday, is an extension of KHFM radio which has long been for so many of us an integral part of our lives. These live performances will bring to Albuquerque some world-class performers in the upcoming months.

Indeed, no less than the Claremont Trio graced the stage of the National Hispanic Cultural Center for an afternoon of Beethoven, Brahms and Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Those who heard this remarkable trio last year in Corrales will no doubt remember their sparkling performance. Twin sisters Emily and Julia Bruskin provide the strings, violin and cello respectively, while pianist Donna Kwong completes the ensemble.

The Beethoven Piano Trio in G Major, Op. 1 No. 2 was Beethoven's second published work. It vacillates sometimes easily, sometimes not, between established Classicism and Beethoven's more radical tendencies. The Scherzo came out full of almost mischievous wit, while the impetuous repeated notes in the strings sent the Finale off to the races.

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, born in Florence in 1895, came to the U.S. to escape the Italian fascisti. Most well-known for his work for Segovia, the Piano Trio No. 2 was actually inspired by the playing of that master of the guitar, and exhibits a strong Spanish influence. Full of melody and exotic harmony, the three-movement work begins with a Schietto e deciso (forthright and resolute) movement which the ensemble attacked enthusiastically. The beautiful Romanza movement works through a series of variations, including one beautiful cello solo by Julia Bruskin, working to an ever-more passionate climax. The impassioned playing carried over into the Rondo, perhaps the most Spanish-sounding of the movements, beginning with a short passage for strings alone.  Subtitled "Vivo e ben ritmato" (lively and very rhythmic), the movement features the battuto technique of slapping the back of the bow against the strings and even the body of the cello, simulating, one would assume, castanets.

Following the break the group dove into the Brahms Piano Trio in C, Op. 87 from the heart of the trio literature. One could hardly ask for a more ravishing performance. The work would seem to be squarely in the wheelhouse of their collective artistic temperament. In the opening movement the augmentation of the main theme became fervent and expressive. The elfin, Halloween-like Scherzo bristled with tension before melting into its luxuriously melodic second theme.

While this has nothing whatever to do with the quality of the musicianship, it doesn't hurt to spend an afternoon looking at three gorgeous young women, dressed in solid-color gowns of purple, blue and orange.

The encore, a selection from Cafe Music, added a dollop of whipped cream to the precedings.

KHFM Performance Live continues its season bringing town QuinTango, Anonymous 4 and the Mendelssohn String Quartet. More details can be found at www.classicalkhfm.com/KHFM_Performance_Live_Schedule.htm

Your Name:

Your Email Address:

Rate this article:
Poor Great

Comment:

BOLD

"QUOTE"

UNDERLINE