THE Phoenix Piano Trio – Jonathan Stone (violin), Christian Elliott (cello), Sholto Kynoch (piano) – paid their first visit to Music in Allendale on Saturday, playing a rich programme of Korngold and Brahms, preceded by Haydn’s Gypsy trio.

Each player has a distinguished career as a soloist and chamber musician... the string players play in the Doric and Zehetmair quartets repectively and this experience was evident in the fine and sensitive ensemble playing throughout.

Both Haydn and Brahms delighted in Gypsy melodies and incorporated them into their compositions; two finely nuanced slow movements of Haydn preceded a rumbustious finale.

Korngold’s trio op 1, written in 1910 when he was just 13 but already with a successful performances of ballet to his name, was much more of a rarity; a luxuriant piece with the influence of Richard Strauss very clear, sweet and soaring melodic lines and luscious harmony which later imbued his film music for which he became famous after his emigration to the USA.

The Brahms trio which ended the programme was first published in 1853 but revised towards the end of the composer’s life, so being a fascinating weave of facets of both youth and maturity.

The glorious opening cello tune was wonderfully lyrical and the exposition repeat very welcome!

The fleeting scherzo melted into the Viennese waltz trio, slightly reminiscent of the Korngold, and the beautiful adagio was played with a great sense of peace.

The turbulent finale, resolutely remaining in B minor swept to a dramatic conclusion.

The next Music in Allendale concert will be on Saturday, September 5 at 7.30pm when the Fitzwilliam quartet and Anna Tilbrook will play piano quartets by Mozart and Schumann as well as works by Bach and Schubert.

Tickets available on the door and include a splendid post concert buffet.

Deborah Thorne