ALISON CROOSE Three principal players provided a cameo of the excellent muscianship of the full orchestra with the latest in their series of chamber concerts.

ALISON CROOSE

Three principal players provided a cameo of the excellent muscianship of the full orchestra with the latest in their series of chamber concerts.

The trio's talents were given centre stage in the intimate atmosphere of the Guildhall in three diverse works.

Nicholas Ward (violin), the leader of the CLS, Jo Cole (cello) and Gordon Back (piano), opened with Haydn's lively piano trio – the gipsy rondo – before musicians and audience faced the challenges of a Shostakovich piano trio.

The work, written in 1944 and reflecting the atmosphere of war, is considered one of the composer's greatest pieces. It seriously tests the skills of the musicians but such was their capacity to handle the complexities of the music, the audience warmed to the intensity of the piece. Realistically the live performance offered the opportunity to appreciate the composition.

Schubert's Piano Trio in B flat – one of two trios he wrote – offered light relief. It brims with melodic tunes and the audience revelled in the rich textures characterising a work full of joy. It brought the best from the musicians and the audience went home imbued with its cheerfulness.