December 22, 2004 • Vol. XXVIII, No. 25
Classic Trio was enjoyable
The Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society presented the Classic
Trio at the United Methodist Church. Featured artists were Lisa Austin and Debra
Veit on flute and Laura Olinger on cello. Joining the trio for a Dvorak piece
were Patrick Rindt on piano and Alice Ahn on violin.
The performance started with the Trio in G Major for two flutes and cello
by Carl Stamitz, followed by one of the highlights of the evening, Sonata No.
7 in G Minor for Flute by J.S. Bach. This was played at a lilting pace, especially
in the last movement, which had toes tapping and heads bobbing with the rhythm.
Mr. Rindt and Miss Ahn joined the ensemble for Dvorak’s Bagatelles, Opus
47 for Two Violins, Cello and Piano. These short pieces were all played with
panache, although lacking in energy a bit until the piano came into its own,
giving the quintet the forward thrust that the composition calls for. Overall,
however, it was very well done.
Echoes in the Wind is a haunting contemporary composition by Phyllis Avidan
Louke in 2001. It was listed as “A Native American Soliloquy” and proved to
be another highlight. It was compellingly beautiful and evoked images of Native
Americans on a mesa celebrating the end of the day. Ms. Austin played the alto
flute, which had the poignant sound of the Native American flute that we are
so accustomed to hearing. It was a truly beautiful presentation.
This composition was followed by the short pieces Les Petits Moulins à
Vent by Francois Couperin and The Hen by Jean-Philip Rameau. Again, Ms. Austin
excelled on the alto flute.
The last piece of the evening was Duas Miniatures Brasilerias by Chiquinha
Gonzaga, a contemporary and friend of Scott Joplin, whose influence was readily
apparent in the last piece, O Corta-Jaca. The cellist finally came into her
own with the heavily syncopated accompaniment obviously influenced by Joplin.
The fusion of Brazilian rhythms and American rag proved to be very effective
and enjoyable.
All in all, it was a very good night for music in Ridgecrest.
D.V. Charles