Chong steps into the breach

THE Kingfisher Piano Trio will have a slightly different look than usual when they perform a varied selection of works at Kettering on Sunday.

The trio was formed in 2006 when violinist Susan Collins and cellist Sue-Ellen Paulsen invited Madrid-based Australian pianist Duncan Giffard to join their duo.

They have performed throughout Australia regularly since then, including concerts in Tasmania.

Work commitments in Europe meant that Giffard had to pull out of this year’s performances, but Australian pianist Kristian Chong agreed to step into the breach to enable the concerts to go ahead.

He has chosen three short interconnecting solo piano pieces to begin the program, starting with an arrangement by Alexander Siloti of the Prelude in B Minor by J.S. Bach.

“It leads directly into Rhapsody for Left Hand in B Minor by Miriam Hyde, which was arranged for me by her and my piano teacher Noreen Stokes when I broke my arm when I was nine,” Chong said.

“It’s a simple melody which sounds a little like Chopin. It is a little dark and pensive, but also beautiful and is a complete work.

“Prelude in B Minor Opus 32 by Sergei Rachmaninov was the composer’s favourite to perform. It was inspired by a painting, The Return, by Arnold Boecklin.”

Collins and Paulsen will play Duo for Violin and Cello Opus 7 by Kodaly.

“Sue-Ellen and I started as a duo, and this was one of the first pieces we performed together 15 years ago,” Collins said.

“We had a lot of fun doing it and haven’t performed it since, so we really wanted to play it again.”

The concert will conclude with the Beethoven Piano Trio in C Minor Opus 1 No.3.

“It will be the first time Sue-Ellen and I have performed as a trio with Kristian, and we’re really looking forward to it,” Collins said. “It’s also a work Sue-Ellen and I haven’t performed before, so that’s exciting.

“It’s an early Beethoven work and is very beautiful.”

The concert is at the Kettering Community Hall at 3pm on Sunday. Tickets are $15, available at the door.