Sarah Shapiro-Concert Review

On Wednesday, September 2^nd, 2009, at 12:30 p.m. at the George Mason University School of Music Fall Convocation in the Harris Theater, Dr. Lisa Berger (soprano), Prof. Dennis Edelbrock (trumpet) and Dr. Linda Apple Monson (piano) performed the Haydn Trio for Soprano, Trumpet and Piano. This stunning performance showcased each musician individually as well as as a part of the ensemble.

In this trio, each instrument performs solo lines at times and is, at others, accompaniment. Although the piano is accompaniment most of the time, it uniquely supports the solo lines being played or sung by the other two performers. The attentiveness of the pianist is absolutely critical in any performance of this piece- all musicians must be completely locked in with each other in order to maintain the identical sense of tempo and emotion throughout the performance. Although the piano is accompaniment in much of this piece, it stands out as a solo instrument at multiple points throughout the performance. Many times when either the vocalist or trumpet player is performing the solo line, the pianist plays the response, creating a “call and response” characteristic of Haydn.

The piano is absolutely critical to the overall function of this trio; it is the concrete keeping the entire performance together. While the vocalist and trumpet player play in and out of each other throughout the piece, the piano is consistent. Although it becomes background music at some points, the piano is absolutely necessary to bind all members of an ensemble for a successful performance.