Seen and Heard International
Recital Review
Handel, Hummel, Lenz, Kodaly:
Langroise Trio (Geoffrey Trabichoff, violin; David Johnson, viola;
and Samuel Smith, cello), Albertson College, Caldwell, Idaho,
USA, 4 May, 2005 (PS)
On Wednesday May 4, 2005, The Langroise Trio gave a brilliant
recital before a capacity house at the Langroise Recital Hall
at Albertson College of Idaho (“ACI” to us locals)
in Caldwell, Idaho. The program included Handel’s Trio
Sonata No.2 in G, the Trio in G by Johann Hummel,
the Duo for two Cellos by local composer Mark Lenz — for
this work Mr. Smith was joined by Julia Pope, cello — and
finally Zoltan Kodaly’s Serenade For Two Violins And
Viola, in an arrangement for violin, viola, and cello by
violist Johnson.
The Handel was an effective warm-up piece, played without harpsichord
but with humor and grace; the rhythm in the Rondeau movement was
particularly sensitive, not too bouncy nor too plain (I’ve
heard it from others both ways). These people accomplished a miracle
with the Hummel, convincing us that Hummel was a great composer.
I am amazed at how they found so much drama, grace, and interest
in this music. The jokey quotation from Mozart’s Magic
Flute in the last movement was handled just right, not too
obvious nor too subtle. The players achieved a fine sense of ensemble,
of dialogue between them, which drew the listener deeply into
the music.
The Lenz work consisted mostly of two interweaving melodic lines
with brief episodes of pizzicato and tremolo. At its most lyrical
it was worthy of Henry Cowell at his best. The Kodaly transcription
was masterfully done, probably improving the work. Two violins
and a viola will inevitably provide a congested sound, whereas
here the musical ideas were effectively expanded into additional
registers to very good effect. The music remained interesting
throughout, with the episodes of rousing peasant dance played
with a genuine sense of enjoyment.
The next two concerts in this series in June which will be devoted
to the five Mozart violin concertos and Sinfonia Concertante
with Trabichoff as violin soloist, joined by David Johnson, violist,
and accompanied by the Boise Baroque ensemble. This will be a
preview of Mr. Trabichoff’s German tour this summer where
the Mozart works will be joined by the Elgar Violin Concerto.
Paul Shoemaker
