The Cartha Trio

The Music Society concert for February was in the Community Theatre at the High School, so as to take advantage of the beautiful Kawai grand piano, and 70 people enjoyed an excellent afternoon of music from the Cartha Trio. Comprising piano, clarinet and viola, the group offered pieces specially written for this unusual combination, and conveyed an overall feeling of lightness and something close to magic. Four Fairy Tales by Schumann began the programme, then we were treated to a trio by Gordon Jacob.

It was indeed a treat. Laura Baxter on piano, with violist Scott Dickinson and Barry Deacon on clarinet, unveiled a strange, highly atmospheric journey that, as someone commented afterwards, ‘could have been the accompaniment to a cartoon film’. Jacob’s piece evoked a sense of enchanted forest, all frosted spider-webs and strange things with long fingers, then moved on to an odd evocation of invaders, with a brisk, slightly bonkers march that in turn gave way to the resident magic. The players moved through the shifting moods of the piece with sure-footed skill, and the audience was enchanted.

Mozart’s tuneful and utterly enjoyable Kegelstatt Trio followed, and the programme ended with four intriguing Bruch pieces. Throughout, the players had great empathy, coupled with a technical skill that soared through the many complex passages. Perhaps the acoustic of the hall is slightly directional, but some people felt the viola was a little overshadowed by the clearer timbre of the clarinet and by the impressive piano. The impression may have been different in other areas of the hall – and certainly did not detract from a splendid afternoon of music.