February 2008

Dear Music-lover,

The concert by the Kungsbacka Piano Trio on Wednesday, 20th February was an enriching experience. In the afternoon, Simon Crawford-Phillips came to my house to practise on my piano. I do wish he wouldn't; once he leaves, my piano goes into a huff whenever I sit down to play it. "Go away", it seems to say, "I now know how a real pianist can make me sound". Hi, ho. It'll get over it.... it usually does.

In the evening, the concert was simply wonderful. Illuminated by borrowed, high lamps, the trio were in a world of their own. The Beethoven Variations was a short, early piece, amply hinting at the genius to follow. The Saint-Saens Trio in E major was a delight. Simon in his introduction, highlighted the fact that Saint-Saens was a hugely talented composer and pianist whose works are, with exceptions such as "Carnival of the Animals" and the "Organ Symphony", relatively unknown. His description of the "ecstatic" quality of the music was entirely accurate. From my position as page-turner, I could see the vast array of notes which combined to truly magical effect.

The Schubert Piano Trio in E flat led me to realise what a privilege it is to assist by page turning at such a performance. Having been given a copy of their CD last year (and having played it very often), I was very familiar with the notes. The page-turning therefore required a little less concentration than with the Saint-Saens. I could therefore enjoy the best seat in the house, where the music swirled around my head and I could marvel at the genius of the composer and the quality of the performance. It was made all the more worthwhile by the introductory words of violinist Malin who described - and cellist Jesper illustrated - the "Farewell" motif, written into the work by the composer who, despite knowing he was dying, seemed to be unable to resist telling us, in his music, how wonderful the world is.

An enriching experience, indeed. Even better is the news that they are returning as part of a tour in November. But the next ICMS concert, on 5th March, is by Ensemble na Mara, a piano quartet whom I heard in the Edinburgh Festival in 2006. I enjoyed them hugely then. I'm sure you will enjoy them.

Paul