Music Chamber

Trio Twenty21: Mark Pedus (violin) Kalina Dimitrova (cello) Craig W. Combs (piano)

 

Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Fantasiestücke in A minor Op 88

Romance, Nicht schnell, mit innigem Ausdruc

Humoreske, Lebhaft - Etwas lebhafter

Duet, Langsam und mit Ausdruck

Finale, Im Marsch Tempo - Dasselbe Tempo

 

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Piano Trio No 6 in E-flat major Op 70/2

Poco sostenuto - Allegro ma non troppo ~ Allegretto ~ Allegretto ma non troppo ~ Finale. Allegro

 

 

From Beethoven’s so called “middle period”, the pair of trios, Op 70 Nos 1 and 2 were written in 1808 around the time of the 5th and 6th symphonies and soon after the three expansive “Razumovsky” string quartets. This trio is relaxed, even-keeled, beneficent and luxurious - in parts, utterly classical as if in a fond over-the-shoulder glance back to Haydn and Mozart. But compared to Haydn’s, Beethoven’s trio in E-flat is a completely new world of sonic and instrumental expression: it begins with a quizzical, almost melancholy cello solo, imitated by violin then piano in a feint of fugato. In the 2nd movement Beethoven evokes Mozart and Haydn, the former in the bright lyricism of the phrase endings and the sensuality of richly sonorous variation, the later in the lilting, playful gestures and the rustic peasant interludes that dance heartily eastward. The 3rd movement looks forward rather than backward with a gentle swaying lyricism sounding far more like Mendelssohn than one is accustomed to in Beethoven; this is where Mendelssohn may have gotten his inspiration! The piano takes centre stage in a heroic and triumphant finale, typical of his use the key of E-flat major.

 

 

The Phantasiestücke came at a happy time in the composer's life: Schumann had married his beloved Clara Wieck in 1840 after her father had made many attempts to thwart their matrimonial plans. The short "Romanze" opens in a tentative, mysterious mood, but then turns warmly Romantic, the piano dominating. The ensuing "Humoreske," marked ‘Lively’, is the longest at about seven minutes and, by contrast, quite chipper and playful in its outer sections, featuring one of Schumann's catchiest themes. Its repetitive rhythmic downward turn gives this piece its self-deprecating wit, or its "humorous" manner. The interior panel here is lively and heroic, but does not completely break with the playful character of the opening. Following a driving, intense episode based on the main theme, the theme returns to its original guise to close out the movement. The "Duett" that follows, marked ‘Slowly and with feeling’, is for cello and violin, the piano providing a soft, running accompaniment to their passionate singing. The Finale, designated ‘In march tempo’, exhibits a heroic character at the outset, but turns lighter and more playful in succeeding variations. The main theme returns and the subdued, lively ending is sheer magic in its feathery nonchalance, its graceful instrumental exchanges, and sense of joy.

 

Trio Twenty21 (www.twenty21.org) formed in July 2009 and and launched itself in March last year at The Forge Venue in Camden. Violinist Mark Pedus studied at the RNCM with Y. Zivoni and has worked and freelanced with several British and Belgian orchestras. Currently, he performs extensive chamber music with the Dionysus Piano Trio, Trio Twenty21, Toccata-Musical Productions for Charitable Causes, and as the principal 2nd violin for the International Mahler Orchestra. Of French Bulgarian parentage, Kalina Dimitrova studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, completing a Masters in Music Performance in 2002. Her chamber music experience has included masterclasses with the Takasc Quartet and Florestan Trio and coaching with the Ysaye Quartet. She now plays with the Accordi String Quartet and Twenty21. Orchestral playing include performances with the Orchestre des Régions Européennes, the British Philharmonic Orchestra, the International Mahler Orchestra, as extra player for Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Northern Symphonia and regular trips to play with the Cyprus State Orchestra. Chamber Pianist, Craig W. Combs, seeks like-minded artists with which to make music that is a reflection of the human condition. He is Artistic Director for The Paramount Chamber Players, a network of artists in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest; The Combs/Hostetter Piano Duo, a 4-hand piano ensemble and pianist for Twenty21. In 2007, he released the CD, Forbidden Voices: Songs by Jewish Composers Banned by the Nazis with soprano, Judith Sheridan.