Part of the Prelude in Tea series at the Independent Theatre , the latest concert was the wonderful Seraphim trio plus guest artist Martin Alexander in a scrumptiously delicious performance.

The Seraphim Trio pianist Anna Goldsworthy, violinist Helen Ayres and cellist Tim Nankervis for this national tour of piano quartets celebrating the Trio’s formative years at the Australian National Academy of Music. The Trio has become one of Australia’s most acclaimed and admired chamber ensembles and they were joined by fellow ANAM alumnus Martin Alexander on viola . There was fabulous rapport between the four and great intensity in their playing.

Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G minor, KV 478 was first , introduced and put in context by Alexander.  Written at the height of Mozart’s success in Vienna in 1785 it is very technically demanding, and there are some possible similarities to Beethoven’s works. The work was full of finely nuanced and balanced shading and drama.

The first movement with its dramatic crashing opening was lyrical yet energetic, a flowing discussion between the piano and strings. Goldsworthy on piano stated the main melody and shimmered and rippled achingly. The main theme was repeated with the strings accompanying.

The second movement was heartfelt and glistening with Goldsworthy cascading on the piano pensively and poignantly, the strings murmuring agreement. In the third movement the piano was refined yet playful , breathlessly darting. Goldlsworthy was particularly delicate and lustrous in her showy solo yet with steely control .

Dvořák’s ‘Piano Quartet in E flat, Op. 87’  was the second half of the program, placed in context by Nankervis .

There is emphasis on counterpoint and use of Hungarian dance rhythms . After a strident tense opening the piano shimmered The music was compelling and spirited , circular and whirling .At the end of the movement the piano was almost harsh in tone yet sparkled.

The second movement was far slower and more melancholic, the sinuous lyrical cello lamenting – but it then turns fast and furious with the piano throbbing underneath . The atmosphere becomes quite agitated but eventually Goldsworthy on the piano scatters crystalline dewdrops of music, the strings agreeing leading to a wave of pulsating sound.

The third movement was strong and emphatic , bounding along , the piano breathlessly running ta times,. There is then a change to a more fluid yet spiky quartet discussion.

The final movement opens with the piano rippling and cascading furiously,  the quartet anxiously taking and developing the whirling circular music .The mood becomes ominous and leads toward s the flurried conclusion.

There was much enthusiastic applause and a rush to buy CDs by the Trio afterwards.

Running time roughly 75 minutes no interval

There was one performance only 24 November 2019 by the Seraphim Trio at the Independent Theatre .