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Recital
LARGE AUDIENCE HEARS AX IN WEILL PIANO RECITAL
by Terry McNeill
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Symphony
SRS' NEW SEASON OPENS WITH BEETHOVEN AND COPLAND IN WEILL
by Terry McNeill
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Chamber
TWO CHAMBER MUSIC WORKS AT MARIN'S MT. TAM CHURCH
by Abby Wasserman
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Chamber
CALLISTO'S ELEGANCE IN UPBEAT 222 GALLERY CONCERT
by Terry McNeill
Friday, October 11, 2024
Chamber
FINAL ALEXANDER SQ CONCERT AT MUSIC AT OAKMONT
by Terry McNeill
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Choral and Vocal
MERCURY IN FLIGHT
by Pamela Hicks Gailey
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Choral and Vocal
SPARKLING ART SONG AND PIANO SOLO RECITAL AT THE 222 GALLERY
by Pamela Hicks Gailey
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Symphony
MOZART THE SUBLIME IN UKIAH SYMPHONY'S CONCERT
by Terry McNeill
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Symphony
POTENT TCHAIKOVSKY INTERPRETATION IN PHILHARMONIC'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY OPENER
by Terry McNeill
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Recital
SPANISH MUSIC AT SPRING LAKE VILLAGE
by Terry McNeill
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
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.