excerpt :
"Piano Trio" - 2nd. Movement. (332K)
performed by The Macquarie Trio -
Kathryn Selby - piano
Nicholas Milton - violin
Michael Goldschlager - cello
about "Piano Trio"........
"Trio in 3 movements" - for violin, cello & piano. (Dur. - 20:30)
I. (5:30)
II. (9:00)
III. (6:00)
Veiled string melodies & flowing piano gestures form the basis for the opening of the work. This sustained lyricism rapidly gains momentum, becoming increasingly excitable & aggressive in nature for a brief period. The energy is quickly dissipated, pointing towards a calm, yet unresolved ending.
The second movement is music of a contemplative nature, providing a stark contrast to the extrovert energy of the two outer movements. The piano supports a dialogue between violin & cello, underpinning the colour & intensity of the melodic contours with repetitive accompaniment figures & chordal gestures.
The final movement is a challenging & virtuosic scherzo featuring a dazzling display of furious semi quaver passages, aggressive rhythmic devices & whimsical, jazz influenced melodies.
"Trio in 3 movements" was commissioned by The Macquarie Trio (resident at Macquarie University) for their 2003 National Subscription Series with generous financial assistance from the Australia Council.
"If any composer can create characteristically Australian music, Nigel Westlake can. His new piano trio, played by the Macquarie trio in their final 2003 concert in Brisbane, expressed so much of what is was & what it is to be Australian.
This three movement work evolved out of his single "Urban Myths" played by the trio two years ago. It is a totally free spirit that borrowed from everywhere yet transcended it all, honoring the three movement trio structure without being dominated by its conventions. It quoted jazz, it keened in the middle movement, but through it all you could feel the desolation of deserts, Australian sun burning the earth, the same earth springing to life after rain. You could glimpse shafts of light penetrating tropical forests, hear Clancy & horses hoofs thundering around alpine ridges, & catch an urban commotion in its urgent drive. Westlake is not afraid of good old-fashioned melody, although in his hands it becomes vibrant, eloquent lyricism mingling with a biting energy into which sneak other elements - shades of jazz as Michael Goldschlager plucked his cello like a double bass, Kathryn Selby pounded reiterations on piano & Nicholas Milton's violin melodies orbited around it all. It was a stunning work & a stunning performance, the fresh exuberance of Australians (Goldschlager from New York now firmly Aussie) doing it their way, taking huge risks & setting a relaxed mood with with chatty introductions."
....................."The Courier Mail"
"Piano Trio" performed by "Macquarie trio" November 13, 2003