Music Reviews : Vienna Chamber Trio in ‘Historic Sites’ series

The high spirits of the Vienna Chamber Trio created a pleasing contrast on Sunday afternoon with the heavyweight grandeur of its setting, the Leslie House in San Marino, on the occasion of yet another event in the “Chamber Music in Historic Sites” series.

Composed of two young Americans, pianist Teresa Turner-Jones and violinist Peter Matzka (who were heard locally in a duo-sonata recital as part of the Olympic Arts Festival in 1984), and a Viennese native, cellist Rudolf Leopold, the youthful, Vienna-based ensemble made a positive impression in a brief, potent program of Mozart’s Trio in G, K. 564 and Schubert’s Trio in B-flat, D. 898, with a charming arrangement of Fritz Kreisler’s “Liebesleid” as the sole and entirely apt encore.

The trio’s execution proved notable for stylish vivacity and flawless ensemble, with an easy blend of tone and temperament.

Thus, Mozart was rendered with wit, lightness of tone and sharp rhythmic profiling, while in the Schubert more pressure was applied to strings and keys in combination with greater rhythmic freedom and a more lavish dynamic scheme.

In short, the Vienna Chamber Trio provided its audience with accomplished, intelligent, affectionate music-making in an attractive setting. Which is what concerts should be all about.