Always pleasant at the Independent Theatre with their famous afternoon tea included in the ticket price, the audience were treated to a superb performance by Seraphim Trio, its members coming from Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
Opening the program was Elegie by Joseph Suk, based on the poems of Julius Zeyer about the legendary Prague fortress Vyšehrad (sounds like vee-sher-rahd). This fortress was considered the seat of ancient Czech kings and now houses a cemetery with some of the greatest Slavic artists and composers including Smetana and Dvorak. Elegie was written to commemorate the 1st anniversary of Zeyer’s passing and offered a serene view of the fortress, its legends and occupants.
Next, the World Premiere of a work commissioned by Prof Dimity Hall composed by Richard Mills Portraits and Memories. With a format reminding us of Mussorgsky’s Pictures of an Exhibition the work alternates between a common themed promenade, various Portraits and attached Memories. Sometimes the Memory had a similar feel to the portrait, other times completely opposite. Though never visually revealed, the audience were left to their imagination of what the Portraits were. For example, the first Portrait sounded like a happy couple but the Memory was more like sharp words and unsettled companionship.The audience felt a little reserved on approaching the new work but warmed to it by the close, Mills composition was easy to follow, well supported by the wonderful interpretation of Seraphim.
The final work, Smetana’s Trio in G minor was the crowd favourite with superb performance from the musicians. Though rarely featured in Chamber programs the audience loved it, many saying they would love to hear it again. Two decades of Seraphim playing together showed most clearly in this work. Their varying personalities mixing to make the perfect blend.
Violinist Helen Ayres flies like a bird, free, passionate, way into the stratosphere. Pianist Anna Goldsworthy feels like the most solid, grounded member the others can depend upon to carry the work forward without distraction (though it would have been lovely to have more in the program allowing her to fly too). Cellist Tim Nankervis seemed to slide along a rubber band between the other two, sometimes lifting into the sky with the violin, sometimes heading off on a tangent with a unique voice, other times holding the fort with the piano. Each one outstanding in their artistry, you could feel a great trust between these master musicians in being able to individually express then instantly pick up in perfect unison.
The recital was extremely well received and I’m sure their audience would love to see them back performing in Sydney more often.
Artist website: http://www.seraphimtrio.com/
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