Playing the 'Gabriel' Stradivarius violin (1717), courtesy of Jonathan Moulds, Nicola Benedetti captivated a capacity Usher Hall audience with truly mesmerising renditions of melodies from the silver screen, and an energetic, thrilling violin performance in Tchaikovsky's Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50.
The main theme from Schindler's List by John Williams, from the film of the same name; Shostakovitch’s Romance from The Gadfly Suite, Op. 97A, theme music for the mini-series Reilly, Ace of Spies; Camille Saint-Saëns' Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28, heard in the film, They Shall Have Music, and other pieces of classical music used in cinematography completed the first half of the evenings programme.
Tchaikovsky's Piano Trio in A minor, Op 50, composed in the late 1800's, subtitled 'In Memory of a Great Artist', referring to his close friend Nikolai Rubenstein who died in 1881, is scored for the usual union of instruments, that is, piano, violin and cello and formed the second half of the concert. The work is in two movements: I. Pezzo elegiaco (Moderato assai - Allegro – giusto), and II. (A) Tema con variazioni: Andante con moto – (B) Variazioni Finale e coda – together, total playing time was approximately fifty minutes duration.
Regarded as a most complex work, especially for the pianist, it remains a popular work with concert goers – the Usher Hall audience being no exception – for its awe-inspiring lyricism and intensity of the final thematic subject.
The trio, in addition to Nicola Benedetti, included Leonard Elschenbroich (cello) and Alexei Grynyuk (piano) who, together, filled The usher Hall with rich harmonies, dramatic dynamics, and interesting interplay between all three 'voices', stylistic of the late romantic period.
Following rapturous applause Nicola, Leonard and Alexei were joined by Nicola's sister (violin) and an accordionist in a most delightful performance of Gardel's, Scent of a Woman.
Nicola Benedetti introduced each half of the evenings programme, aided by introductory film clips of pieces to be performed, including in-depth, interpretive discussions and thought processes of each of the musicians involved.
Winner of two Classical BRIT awards, the release of five CDs, frequent live tour performances - Nicola Benedetti also devotes much time and support to the UK's leading cancer charity for children, CLIC Sargent – and is a great supporter of creative (music) subjects in the school curriculum.
Time: Saturday 16th March, 2013 at 7.30pm