A Fine Debut

On Friday, recently formed trio ISA composed of Jacquess Israelievitch (violin), Jihyun Ahn (cello), and Benjamin Smith (piano) had their first public performance. The small venue Gallery 345 was reasonably full for 3 pieces. The first piece was Beethoven's Trio in D major, Op 70, No 1. It is also known so as the Ghost trio because he incorporated fragments from his uncompleted Macbeth opera. I found the second movement, with its slow eerie arrangement to be most apt with the moniker.

The highlight for me was Shostakovich's Trio in E minor, Op 67, No 2. Written at the end of World War II, it incorporated Jewish melodies, and was written for the victims of fascism. It sounded modern with strong percussive elements due to plucked strings, bow taps, and strummed chords. During certain passages, I felt my heartbeat and breath reverberating to the music. I don't recall ever having such a physical reaction; it was both thrilling and a little scary.

So it was that Schumann Trio in D minor, Op 63, No 1 was a bit of a let-down. It was indeed "romantic but sophisticated" with its cascades of notes and chords. Under other circumstances, I might have enjoyed it more. But after the harrowing Shastakovich, it seemed too tame and ornamented. Nevertheless, it was an evening of wonderful music.