The Sitkovetsky Trio started Day 4 with a concert of Schubert and Beethoven’s piano trios. Opening with Schubert’s Trio (Sonata in 1 movt) in B♭ major, D 28, a work written when Schubert was only 15, we heard a work that was very much influenced by what he’d heard around him – there’s more than one hint of Mozart in the sound. Beethoven’s Ghost Sonata (Op. 70/1) brought the unearthly sounds of the second movement to life. This work has already been recorded as part of the ensemble series of Beethoven trios on Bis Records. Two Schubert trios closed the concert. First, the one-movement Notturno (D. 897) and then the Piano Trio in B flat major, D. 898. This was pure Schubert in its best form.
This was the first appearance of the Sitkovetsky Trio at the Schubertiade; they will be celebrating their 20th anniversary in the Beethoven Year 2027 as an ensemble, and are commissioning works by contemporary composers to expand the trio repertoire. They are a rarity as a dedicated trio. Most festivals that include chamber music prefer to engage string quartets or to create ‘superstar’ trios of famous names on the violin, cello, and piano. As a dedicated trio with two decades of experience playing together, they bring something that no ad hoc group can ever accomplish. As was evident from their performance, they have an enviable ability to communicate with the audience and are skilled at creating a seamless musical narrative through a piece.
Maureen Buja
