October 2009
As Paul has demitted authorship of these Newsletters in favour of the committee and anyway was fully occupied turning the pages for Simon Crawford-Phillips, the pianist of the Kungsbackas, I was delegated to give my impressions. Paul, as usual, was kept fully occupied bobbing up and down keeping up with the frantic pace of the music and Simon's flying fingers. The broad smile on his face throughout spoke volume of how impressed he was, from his vantage point beside Simon, though I don't think anyone in the audience would have disagreed. It is clear that the Kungsbackas have a devoted following, as we had a near record audience.
As the members of the group are such frequent visitors and such good friends, I asked Niall Ramsay, our founding Chairman, to give me his views of the concert. Here is what he says,
"For us in Inverness, the best part of the Kungsbacka Trio is the middle section -“back”- and may they return in perpetuity! This is their 5th (?) visit and the audience were clearly delighted to see (hear) them again .
The well balanced programme comprised trios by Haydn, Dvorak and Schubert, and throughout we had a vital and sparkling performance.
In Haydn, we had a classic performance, but youthfully performed and full of fun.
Dvorak, with its difficult ensemble aspects and passionate Slavic dance rhythms was every bit as exciting as Jesper had promised us in his brief introduction.
Then, Simon told us of presentiments of death in Schubert’s music and yet, that somehow we get a real sense of the man from his music- yes, the paradox emerged as they played; Schubert we felt was still alive, with us, indeed , in the Town House. Another paradox- how can music be light and heavy at the same time?
If a critique should carry an element of something negative, to show it is balanced (difficult) - perhaps I should say that the players’ shoes were not properly polished, (but I didn’t look)."
I can only agree (and I didn't look at the shoes either!) - though Jesper was only wearing one, as he had injured his leg and it was strapped up in a very complicated surgical brace which made lugging a 'cello about a wee bit of a problem. It did mean that he was unable to play his usual games of squash and tennis with Paul (when Paul manages to lose very gracefully). It in no way affected Jesper's playing which was wonderful - and all three works gave ample opportunity for his 'cello to shine.
The beautifully balanced programme - from the almost skittish rhythms of the Haydn, to the sonorous Dvorak and the typically Schubertian virtuosic passages in the final Trio was a delight, and we look forward to welcoming them back next season.
Alison
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