Piano trio’s rapport shines through in Ardrishaig

WHILE Ardrishaig might not be considered as a hub of Scottish cultural enlightenment, the village plays host to some first-class music ensembles.

Last Saturday it was the turn of the Da Vinci Piano Trio to entertain, thanks once again to the efforts of Mid Argyll Arts Association and Argyll and Bute Concert Tours.

The Da Vinci Piano Trio, with founder members Anthony Moffat (violin), Robert Irvine (cello) and with pianist Mario Montore, is Scotland’s most distinguished and acclaimed piano trio, with a vast repertoire. For Saturday’s concert they put together a beautifully balanced programme with three very different works of the genre, starting with Haydn’s probably best known trio, the Gypsy Rondo, so called because of the final Rondo with its references to Hungarian gypsy music.

As Anthony explained, Haydn took the trio format from a simple doubling of violin and piano with basic cello/bass accompaniment to new levels where the violin and cello had individuality; the beautiful slow movement being one such example.

Their next offering was Claude Debussy’s Trio in G. This early work, written when he was only 18 and in the service of Tchaikovsky’s patron, is relatively unknown and took everyone by most pleasant surprise. There are four movements written in late Romantic style and all utterly delightful. The Puck-like second movement and the following slow movement were particularly engaging, the latter being, basically, a love letter to his patron’s daughter with whom he had fallen in love – sadly not reciprocated.

Following the interval came Brahms’ monumental Op.8 Trio in B major. This was an early opus reworked later in life which places huge demands on the stamina of all, but particularly the pianist. The long flowing melodic lines of the first movement, the skittish and punchy scherzo with its landler-like trio, the contemplative dialogue of the slow movement, and the outright bravura of the finale were all delivered with exemplary understanding of this great work.

Every tempest is followed by calm and, as an encore, the trio brought us back to a more peaceful world with the Andante from Mendelssohn’s first Piano Trio. This beautiful Song without

Words was a charming end to a wonderful afternoon’s concert.

Throughout their performances one could not help but wonder at the amazing rapport between these three talented musicians, a culmination of years’ experience playing together and the reason why this trio is deemed to be at the top of its game. This was a rare treat indeed.

The next concert from Mid Argyll Arts Association, on Saturday December 3, will feature the Kosmos Ensemble.