Sunday, November 14, 2010

The Mutter-Bashmet-Harrell Trio - All-Beethoven - 11/14/10

Anne-Sophie Mutter: Violin
Yuri Bashmet: Viola
Lynn Harrell - Cello

Beethoven: String Trio in C Minor, Op. 9, No 3
Beethoven: Serenade for String Trio in D Major, Op. 8
Beethoven: String Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 3

It seems that I have been on a Beethovian roll this weekend as the German master was being honored at two major music venues in the Big Apple yesterday and today. After enjoying a grand Eroica last night at Carnegie Hall courtesy of Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, I was at the Avery Fisher Hall this afternoon for an all-Beethoven program of string trios featuring three distinguished masters of their instruments in violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, who also is this season’s James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence, violist Yuri Bashmet and cellist Lynn Harrell. After all, why stop at a symphony when you can have some chamber music as well?

As unfairly sculptural as ever, sporting a smart and sexy outfit, Anne-Sophie Mutter remains one class act visually and musically. As the leader of the small ensemble, she instantly established flawless chemistry with her two long-time collaborators, affable Lynn Harrell and dark-looking Yuri Bashmet, as they got going with the dynamic, never-a-dull-moment String Trio in C Minor. It was followed by the lovely, happy Serenade Op. 8 and the attractively melodic Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 3, which unfolded in all of its 40 glorious minutes. The evident camaderie among the musicians allowed them to make beautiful music together, even if the Avery Fisher Hall’s controversial acoustics and a less than ideal location (I just hate being on the side) were not very conducive to a totally flawless experience. It was as good as it could get, and that was pretty good indeed.

So Beethovened out yet? Not in the least. I am looking forward to more.

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