Triominos! – Liverpool Philharmonic

Triominos! was a collection of piano, clarinet and bassoon trio music, spanning offerings from nineteenth century Ukraine to twentieth century Argentina. The first half featured a trio by Carl Frühling and a world premiere from Liverpool based composer, David Forshaw, and the second half was made up of a selection of Mendelssohn’s Songs without Words and Piazzolla’s Rivirado arranged by pianist, Ron Abramski.

The concert opened with Frühling’s Trio for Clarinet, Bassoon and Piano Op.40. Frühling’s work is not well known or regular performed today and it was nice to see this Romantic piece of music performed which was chosen in particular for Frühling’s links with Ukraine. The first movement is haunting and enchanting, with the woodwind frolicking playfully over the piano. Slower sections with rich bass contrast with lighter melodies. The second movement beckons you into a mysterious world, developing into a pretty dance. The slow and dramatic third movement has a much sadder feeling with call and response elements between the two woodwind instruments. The final movement is bright with lots of high notes and a quick tempo.

The second piece, Forshaw’s Au Contraire, was introduced by Ron Abramski and the composer himself. Written especially for the evening, Forshaw explained that he wanted the piece to highlight the differences between the piano’s bashing style and the woodwind’s breathing style and the chaos bringing the two together can create. The piece opens with violent piano with sharply contrasting notes. This is compliment by a deep echo from bass clarinet, played by Ausiàs Garrigós-Morant and bassoon, played by Rebekah Abramski. The piece develops when Garrigós-Morant switches back to clarinet, with the higher notes giving the piece of the trio of instruments meeting in the middle with curiosity. The piece closes with a sense of reluctance for the different instruments to fully unite and maintain their own unique voices.

The second half opens with eight of Mendelssohn’s Songs without Words. Ron Abramski explained Mendelssohn’s theory of producing an endless melody for piano as, unlike a vocalist, the piano doesn’t need to take a breath. Ron Abramski felt that these melodies would work very well on the clarinet and bassoon and arranged the pieces to fit, however had to then amend these arrangements in collaboration with Garrigós-Morant and Rebekah Abramski as the arrangements didn’t take account of the woodwind player’s need to breathe in the same way as a vocalist does. The selection of songs offers a range of emotions, from soothing beautiful melodies, to cheeky, joyful dances and dramatic pieces filled with tones of loss and sadness.

The final piece, Piazzolla’s Revirado is an Argentinian inspired piece of New York jazz which brings the evening to a fun and joyful conclusion. The retro sounds transport you to a bar of yesteryear with slow warm elements contrasting with impressively quick woodwind from Garrigós-Morant and Rebekah Abramski.

Triominos! is an interesting selection of music with a wide range of emotions. The premiere of Forshaw’s work was a wonderful highlight and gave Ron Abramski the opportunity to play the piano in a unique way and Garrigós-Morant and Rebekah Abramski the chance to explore the range of their woodwind instruments. Together with the other pieces this was a lovely collection of trio music played by three talented musicians.

Reviewer: Donna M Day

Reviewed: 26th June 2023

North West End UK Rating: