Classical review: Fidelio Trio

Aula Maxima, UCC

Formed in 1995 while Cork pianist Mary Dullea and Belfast violinist Darragh Morgan, were students at the Guildhall School of Music in London, this trio (with new cellist Adi Tal) has consistently explored the contemporary repertory, fearlessly championed new music, gained plaudits world-wide, and received glittering press reviews.

Right from the gentle opening of Faure’s piano trio, it was obvious that a musical treat was in store —and so it proved.

Dullea’s exquisite tone set the mood for what was to come, perfectly capturing the restrained delicacy of the French masterpiece and the passion that informs the last movement.

Perfectly graduated dynamics and sensitivity to changes of colour were special features of their playing — especially in the passages in which violin and cello play in double octaves.

The same attention to detail informed their interpretation of Dvorak’s popular ‘Dumky’ Trio, Op. 90. This gorgeously melodic work constantly changes mood, each of the six movements beginning in soulful meditation that soon gives way to joyous, dancing music. I was particularly impressed by the colours they created and their contrasting dynamics, as sadness gave way to joy, as well as their sense of ensemble in this quite complex work.

After the interval, the emphasis changed from Romantic to contemporary music. John Buckley’s 2013 Piano Trio proved to be most approachable, imaginative, and descriptive. I particularly liked the colourful ending of the 1st movement, where string pizzicato, tremolo, and harmonics ‘buzzed’ around a single tone. The energetic, almost-Bartokian ‘Kaleidoscope’ movement contrasted well with the pleasing ‘Music Box’ finale.

So skilful is Eduard Steurmann’s arrangement of Schoenberg’s incredibly rich Verklarte Nacht string sextet, that it sounded as if this version was the original!

The poem on which it is based is, by turns, despairing, wistful tragic, and passionate, but ultimately life-affirming. The music wonderfully reflects the poetry. Almost overpowering in its intensity, this performance captured the moods and colours wonderfully.