MUSIC REVIEW : Chamber Society of Pasadena

The penultimate program of the enterprising Southwest Chamber Music Society proved typically tight and cannily built, with earnest, estimable--albeit uneven--performances.

It also suggested that Pasadenans may be discovering the attractions of the society and the little Wright Auditorium of Pasadena Library, drawing a much bigger audience Tuesday evening than the second concert had done in February. Though afflicted on this occasion with a ventilating system that labored to scant effect, the hall is a very civilized place in which to hear chamber music.

The ensemble efforts were horn trios, relatively rare commodities that in this case reflected the strong and manifold talents of Jeff von der Schmidt, the society’s artistic director. He brought burnished tone, and uncommon agility and finesse to the trios by Charles Wuorinen and Brahms.

Schmidt and his partners, violinist Kimiyo Takeya and pianist Albert Dominguez, gave the West Coast premiere of Wuorinen’s Trio two years ago, and are well drilled in its knotty, often explosive routines. The three held their own individually, coming together in authoritative unisons, in a bright, crisp performance almost too big for the room.

Brahms, of course, gave them more extended lyrical opportunities, which they seized gratefully. Balances went awry in the finale, as did Takeya’s intonation in moments of scratchy stridency, but momentum remained unflagging.

Between the trios, Dominguez offered a cool, immaculately controlled account of Stravinsky’s neo-Bachian Sonata, fast paced but far from inflexible.

The program was scheduled to be repeated Wednesday evening in Claremont, and will be presented Sunday afternoon at Santa Ana High School Auditorium.