RACHMANINOV AND DEBUSSY - TRIO TÓLA
OLA KIEZUN, TOM YANG, AISLING MARTIN
First works can sometimes sound like work in progress; not so the two piano trios by Rachmaninov and Debussy. They were given a wonderful outing by a relatively new ensemble, the Trio Tóla at West Road Concert Hall. The three undergrads who recently came together are Aisling Martin (violin) Ola Kiezun (cello) and Tom Yang (piano). Before the lunchtime concert, the trio told the audience that they are the best of friends and love making music together. That certainly came out in the performance of Rach’s Piano Trio No. 1 ‘Elegiac’ and Debussy’s No. 1 in G Major. They played the contrasting pieces with huge skill, passion and deep commitment. The Russian piece came first with Yang strongly laying out the gorgeously moving melody – once heard, not forgotten. The threesome created a delicious balance – Kiezun’s cello was rich, dark and tragic, Martin’s fiddle sweet, urgent and compelling.
The one-movement Rachmaninov ended with moving funereal atmosphere and one could hear the proverbial pin drop when the trio came to an end. The second work changed the mood with music drama. Debussy’s first trio is an eclectic mix of Gallic fun, spooky footsteps, soaring themes and heavy hints at the French composer’s more mature works. Each of the four movements set a very different tone and the Trio Tóla did it proud.
I hope to see more of this young threesome, meanwhile their playing has urged me back to listen again to the two trios. First works, it seems, can be great works.
Photo: Faruk Kara
