Boris Allakhverdyan, Ben Hong, & Talon Smith performing Brahms Trio Op. 114

1220 2nd Street,Santa Monica CA 90401

05 February, 2023

Description

Internationally acclaimed artists Boris Allakhverdyan (clarinetist), Ben Hong (cellist), and Talon Smith (pianist & composer) unite their musical brilliance to bring you the beautiful Brahms Trio Op. 114. Talon Smith will also perform his newly published 24 Preludes for solo piano along with works by Chopin, Liszt, Ravel, and Stravinsky. CONCERT PROGRAM: Johannes Brahms: Trio in A minor, Op. 114Frédéric Chopin: Ballade in G minor, Op. 23Igor Stravinsky: 4 Etudes, Op. 7Maurice Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit, M. 55Talon Smith: 24 Preludes, Op. 1SHORT PROGRAM NOTES: Many praise Johannes Brahms for the brilliance of the instruments’ polyphonic interaction in his Trio Op. 114, which creates a distinct texture that is not achieved by any other type of chamber ensemble. Eusebius Mandyczewski, a scholar and friend of Brahms, wrote of the Trio, "It is as though the instruments were in love with each other." Talon Smith’s 24 Preludes are deeply moving with beautifully blended, consonant tonal harmonies and unique, exhilarating rhythms, culminating in a full breadth of emotions to be experienced and remembered. First prints of Talon Smith's 24 Preludes will be available for purchase at the concert. Learn more about the Artists here: Boris Allakhverdyan, Principal Clarinet Los Angeles PhilharmonicBen Hong, Associate Principal Cello Los Angeles PhilharmonicTalon Smith, Pianist & ComposerPublic parking is available directly across the street from the venue. For rates and directions to parking, please visit their website here. More about the Brahms Trio Op. 114: Throughout the four movements, the Trio’s instruments retain their individual identities through their inherent acoustical distinctions and their presentation in canon or in frequent solo sections. The opening Allegro begins with the cello emerging and searching for the clarinet’s echo that is soon to come. Brahms then spans the entire range of the clarinet using long, extended melodies with interplay between the cello and clarinet. Next the heartfelt lyricism of the Adagio movement captures the reflective quality that permeates Brahms’ late masterpieces—generous and loving with a touch of melancholy. The clarinet again spans the register from its singing clarion to its low chalumeau. Like the first movement, the cello and clarinet have intermingled parts, with the piano mimicking this interplay throughout. The enthusiastic, leisurely, folk-like dance that follows is an intriguing Andante grazioso developed on a graceful clarinet melody. In the final Allegro, Brahms uses the canons between the three instruments combined with syncopation that ultimately evolves into a spirited finale, reinstating the stormy A minor of the first movement and bringing the Trio to a bellowing conclusion.