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Symphony
ESPANA SEGURO AT SO CO PHIL'S JACKSON THEATER CONCERT
by Terry McNeill
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Choral and Vocal
MASTERFUL SINGING CLASS IN SCHROEDER HALL
by Pamela Hicks Gailey
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Recital
MUSICAL POT POURRI AT SPRING LAKE VILLAGE RECITAL
by Terry McNeill
Friday, January 31, 2025
CELLO AND CLARINET HIGHLIGHT TRIO NAVARRO'S CONCERT
by Ron Teplitz
Sunday, January 26, 2025
SONGS OF LOVE, IN A WARM TRIO
by Pamela Hicks Gailey
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Symphony
EARTHLY PLEASURES AT THE VALLEJO SYMPHONY
by Peter Lert
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Symphony
EARTHLY PLEASURES AT THE VALLEJO SYMPHONY
by Abby Wasserman
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Recital
TWO AND FOUR HANDS DELIGHT AT THE 222
by Nicki Bell
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Chamber
NEW CENTURY'S BRILLIANT STRING PLAYING IN WEILL
by Terry McNeill
Saturday, January 18, 2025
SYMPHONIC CONTRASTS IN SRS WEILL HALL CONCERT
by Peter Lert
Saturday, January 11, 2025
CHAMBER REVIEW

Trio Navarro

ACOUSTIC CLARITY AT LAST

by Terry McNeill
Sunday, August 24, 2014

After years of chamber music frustration in Sonoma State University's Ives and Weill halls, the Trio Navarro basked in acoustical clarity Aug. 24 at their debut concert in the university's new Schroeder Hall.

The acoustics in Weill before small audiences, and with lush romantic chamber music, made blurred legato piano lines the norm. In Sunday's performance of Taneyev's D Major Trio, Op. 22, all was heard clearly. Pianist Marilyn Thompson joined cellist Jill Brindel and violinist Victor Romasevich in a rewarding performance of this rarely played Russian work from 1908.

The Taneyev is not easily grasped, as it lacks the thematic unity of more popular piano trios. However, the Navarro gave it a passionate reading with emphasis on the long vocal lines and warm colors. Mr. Romasevich gave his usual intense sound to the elegant theme and variations, and the constantly surging phrases led to an exciting short and fast opening movement cadenza.

Rich music for the cello characterized the Andante. Ms. Brindel played with refinement in rubato and supplied tasteful small decrescendos. Another violin cadenza led directly to the finale where there were hints of Arensky's second piano trio from 1905.

Even in a lyrical section, Taneyev can't keep his romanticism under wraps for long, and the Navarro built potent climaxes in the concluding Allegro. Mr. Romasevich's penetrating top-end tone easily cut through the dense counterpoint and led the Trio through manifold deceptive cadences.

I find the D Major Trio difficult to get my arms around, but the fervor of Navarro's playing made a case for more familiarity.