[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts music review of Guideri, Walz, Durkovic Piano Trio at The Athena Foundation for the Arts 2023 Fall Concert Series.
A night of sublime performances by three masters of their art. Jessica Guideri, violinist, John Walz, cellist, and on piano, Timothy Durkovic. To read about the impressive credits, awards, and past performances is one thing, but to be a witness in a room with these three playing together is a thing of beauty. The pieces selected for the night’s performances were ambitious, diverse, and inspired. The trio played with unbridled passion and precision that, at times, left the audience breathless, including me.
Antonin Dvořák
Piano Trio No. 4 in Eminor, Op. 90 – Dumky
These six “dumkas” fluctuate from drama, melancholia, serenity, joy and a mad dash for the finish line. The energies, colors, and emotions that these three musicians brought to my ears, my heart and my brain kept me at the edge of my seat. It must be noted that these pieces seemed to be written just for them.
Johannes Brahms
Trio No. 2, Op. 90 in C Major
The four movements of the Brahms Trio were among my favorites, but to hear them being played live and by this trio was a personal joy for me. The rhythmic pulses of the first movement were excited with great care and synced beauty. The variations of the theme in the second movement held me in awe as the violin and cello echoed each other under the steady and grand foundation of the piano. The third movement’s complex rhythms are in rich contrast to the lightness of feeling. The finale’s four contrasting themes were perfectly accented by the long coda that intensified with brilliant energies.
George Gershwin
Porgy and Bess Suite
As wonderful as the first two pieces were, I can honestly say that the Porgy and Bess Suite brought down the house. Is there anything Jessica, John and Timothy can’t play? Once again the audience’s mind, body, and soul responded to the emotion filled with the Smith/Heifetz arrangement for Piano Trio, and the beauty of this arrangement of songs from the opera is perfectly matched with the skills of each of these brilliant artists.
I felt pure joy as each note played transported me to another place and time. It is a feeling that is still with me as I write this review. And even though I was in an auditorium full of people, I felt that each piece was performed just for me and only me. What a gift these wonderful concerts are. Bravo!