In fact, this group has been doing just that, unfailingly, for well over
two decades; building up an extensive catalogue of local composer commissions, undertaking lively collaborations, including a cabaret turn with singer-songwriter Finn Andrews and, most recently, working alongside the city’s talented youngsters in Kāhui St David’s String Together project.
On Sunday night, with the esteemed Wellington pianist Jian Liu deputising for Somi Kim, there was no lessening of the ensemble’s unique sound and spirit, as Amalia Hall and Matthias Balzat bonded with their guest to uphold NZTrio’s commitment to reaffirming the cathartic nature of a live musical performance in today’s digital world.
Around Three Corners by English composer Roxanna Panufnik set us off with nine exquisitely crafted minutes of swaying strings and teasingly astringent piano chords; in due course, a roaring climax mysteriously melted into G major.
The gripping Schumann Piano Trio No.1 that followed was in fact the first instalment of his complete trios, scheduled throughout the year.
This dreamscape, concocted by the most romantic of romantic composers, had the trio almost flaunting its mettle in the surging first movement, capturing heart-stopping asides with synchronicity and soul.
The scherzo was as giddying as it should be, the slow movement a conversation, tender and passionate, between rapturous violin and cello.
More romantic music lay ahead – the evening’s encore was the elegantly handled calls and responses of a Brahms Andante grazioso.
After the interval, Claire Cowan’s wood: strings: hammers: flesh ITALICS showed why she is one of our finest composers for dance and screen, with the musicians clearly enjoying her ingenuity in searching out unexpected hues.
Charles Ives’ Piano Trio was the predictable highlight in a splendid concert, boldly confrontational in its stark dissonances and freewheeling quotations from songs secular and sacred.
It was delivered with the perfect mix of authority and advocacy, much appreciated for a composer too seldom heard in our concert halls.
It makes me happy to report that NZTrio is taking this concert to seven audiences around the island, ending in Wellington on May 23.
Catching it again in the intimate setting of Cambridge town hall this Saturday may well be an irresistible temptation.
