Violinist Jennifer Cho

OYSTER TRIO AT THE ROSE SIGNATURE SERIES

There is surprisingly a new piano trio around, The Oyster, supplementing pianist Marilyn Thompson’s preeminent North Coast Trio Navarro. Wait, Ms. Thompson was also at the piano for the Oyster’s Jan. 14 concert in Santa Rosa’s Church of the Roses, playing two of her favorite Beethoven “Geister” and Brahms’ Op. 87 trios.

Joined by colleagues violinist Jennifer Cho and Judiyaba (cello) the ensemble jumped right into the Beethoven Allegro with its rhythmic first unison theme and a lovely cantabile phrase from Ms. Judiyaba. The piano sound in the high-ceiling and expansive church carried well, but often covered the cello line that lacked sonic projection. Tension and suspense were heard in the long Largo, dark and moody. Ms. Thompson used the shift pedal throughout, her muted scales easily heard from the church’s
efficacious instrument.

The concluding movement was played with the requisite warmth and energy, the ensemble controlled and Ms. Cho’s playing flowing easily in the high register, the Presto tempo never too brisk and contrasts minimal. Applause from the audience of 80 was moderate.

Contrasts galore were heard in Brahms’s C Major Trio’s performance, its four movements unfolding with plucked strings, strong rhythmic themes from the piano, short variations in the Andante, eerie and delicate sounds in the Scherzo and rich melodic projections throughout. The musicians generated a thick texture in the opening movement and the climaxes had impact. Control was especially good in the mysterious Scherzo, played quietly and with two effective instrumental rumbles.

The finale was played intensely but at times lighter in spirit, in almost a celebratory character. The two strings seemed to be pitted against the piano part, a fervid interpretation but also expressive and ultimately convincing. Violin phrase repeats were clear in the high register.

The performance was clocked in just under one hour, and there was no encore.

The Roses Signature Concert Series continues Feb. 25 with soprano Carol Menke and pianist Ms. Thompson in an art song recital of Berg, Brahms, Fauré and Spanish music. Local young musicians perform March 17, and the eagerly awaited annual Good Friday concert March 29 features composer Dan Forrest’s 40-minute Requiem, written in 2013.