InterFusions – a concert of rare accomplishments

This chamber music concert’s billing as ‘Interfusions’ was well chosen, for each of the works in a programme of remarkable richness was made up of mixture of musical styles and sources.

The three players explored the depths of the pieces with commendable skill and cohesion as they wove together their many strands.

The Piano Trio in C minor Op 1, No 3 by the youthful Beethoven pointed towards his later custom of fusing intensity and lyricism, and showed off the qualities of each of the Trio’s members; violinist Amalia Hall for her poised playing with a silvery tone, the mellow notes of cellist Ashley Brown and the clarity and expressiveness of pianist Somi Kim.

‘Old Photographs from Constantinople’ by the Greek-Canadian Christos Hatzis was bewitching as it evoked such remembrances through a multitude of influences.

‘Kintsugi’ is the Japanese art of meticulously repairing broken pottery, and the New Zealand composer Salina Fisher’s composition on that theme using delicate Japanese tones to express the dignity of the restorations was hauntingly beautiful.

‘Love Triangle’ by the Sri Lanka- Canadian Dinuk Wijeratne had an appealing effervescent mood as it vibrantly caught the flavour of the influences of Middle Eastern melodies and Indian rhythms.

The luscious sounds and appealing textures of Ravel’s Piano Trio in A minor brought to an end a concert of rare accomplishments.

Hanno Fairburn, Daily Post Rotorua