Trio Meets Its Obstacles With Determination

The rigors of travel and susceptibility to regional viruses intruded on the concert given by the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio at the Irvine Barclay Theatre Friday night, causing cellist Sharon Robinson to interrupt her own playing with a persistent cough. Finally, after giving up on the bowl of lozenges next to her, she took an apologetic break--between the second and third movements of Brahms’ Trio in C, Opus 87--to rush offstage for some water.

Given the obvious distractions to their concentration, pianist Joseph Kalichstein, violinist Jaime Laredo and Robinson recovered their composure with remarkable alacrity and proceeded with artistic unanimity.

Their serious, larger-than-life approach suited Brahms’ dark work. They approached it with much heavy-handed verve and long, insistent phrases, and offered mournful solos. There was no suspense--and a little too much predictability--and the three found little to rejoice over in the final Allegro giocoso. Still, the piece affected as an aggressive statement of tortured yearning.

The same approach proved too grim for Beethoven’s Trio in G, Opus 1, No. 2, performed with sober determination even during the most lighthearted moments. With a single-mindedness that one might expect from their long association, the musicians unveiled much elegance and virtuosic ensemble playing, but opted for serious dialogue when they might have found carefree conversation, and--particularly in the Finale--for fiery heroics when they might have discovered a sparkling playful quality.

Leon Kirchner’s Trio No. 2 for Violin, Cello and Piano was reviewed previously.