Born into a musical family, Russian composer, pianist, and professor of music Anton Arensky’s contributions began early in life having already composed several pieces by age 9. A student of St. Petersburg Conservatory, his mentors included Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov who heavily influenced his Romantic classical compositions. It’s said Arensky lacked a distinctive personal style and thus his works have been largely overlooked for recording. Ironically, his most popular compositions to be recorded are Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky for string orchestra. Meant to be a memorial to his friend and mentor, the strong elegiac qualities are resonant in the use of a second cello opposed to the customary second violin.
In our third concert series, the Shaham Erez Wallfisch Trio will be performing Arensky’s Piano trio No. 1 in D minor, Opus 32. A light piece with lilting melodies that still resonates with Tchaikovsky’s influence, Opus 32 also displays Arensky’s fondness for unusual rhythmic patterns and understanding of instrumental importance.
Composed of musicians Hagai Shaham, Arnon Erez and Raphael Wallfisch, the European piano trio exudes an intense togetherness and extreme musicality that translates the lightness of Arensky and Beethoven and drama of Brahms and Rachmaninoff beautifully on stage. We’re excited to part of their North American debut Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 8pm. See concert details and ticket prices here.
While on the Amalfi Coast last month, our room with a beautiful view of the coast also hapnpeed to be several floors above the beachside disco floor. At first it was funny that the music was so loud – the DJ sounded like he was calling the moves for the line dances right on our balcony when we walked into the room at night. Believe me, it quickly became UN funny – it was midnight, after all! We turned the TV on to the hotel welcome channel which played just the most hectic portion of Vivaldi’s Summer over and over. Earplugs in, we tried to go to sleep with a booming bass from below and sawing strings from the TV – making me want to NEVER hear Summer again!