Magnificent playing by Smetana Trio at Kendal Midday concert (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Magnificent playing by Smetana Trio at Kendal Midday concert

9:10am Sunday 23rd October 2011 in Gig and concert reviews By Brian Paynes

Smetana Trio Kendal Town Hall Kendal Midday Concert Club welcomed the Smetana Trio, one of Europe’s finest piano trios. During their hour-long programme we heard magnificent playing, both from the individual and the ensemble perspectives. The string players – Jana Vonaskova-Nováková (violin) and Jan Pálenicek (cello) possessed a matching beautiful tone that was intense, dramatic and always lyrically expressive; the pianist, Jitka Cechová, was the securely-confident linchpin of the ensemble wherein balance was occasionally a problem.

A totally enjoyable recital, then, would surely have been the logical outcome. Unfortunately, however, this did not materialise for me. The fault lay principally in the programme’s content. Trio Quasi una ballata, Op 27 by the Czech composer, Novák is a powerful work – sometimes light of mood but overall, poignant and tragic. Something of a contrasting, brighter nature would have relieved the tension, but Tchaikovsky’s darkly brooding Trio in A minor, Op 50 was not that piece; its mood was so like the Novák and its finale, though packed with delightful moments, seemed never-ending.

The programme – its two potently emotional works, wonderfully played – was a long, drawn-out tragedy and I yearned for contrast.