Symonds-Ellwood-Short Trio on October 31st

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 15, 28 October 1927, Page 5

Symonds-Ellwood-Short Trio on October 31st

Widespread interest has been aroused by the announcement of the engagement for 2YA of the Symonds-Ellwood-Short trio, who will make a first appearance on October 31. What may be termed the musical autobiography of these three exceptionally talented artists, which was published in last week’s "Radio Record," was a record of individual experience and achievement such as can be claimed only by the very few. Each of the three has been eulogised by many critics. One of them, writing about Gordon Short, said: "There is no denying the man’s artistry. His technique is amazing, his touch ranges from a Hambourg punch (without raised arm) to the airy delicacy of Leonard Borwick. If there was a speed limit in pianistic convolutions, Gordon Short would be before the Court every day; but these are the outward show of a sound training. The inner man reveals rare romantic depths." Of Miss Ava Symonds and Mr. George Ellwood the critics have been similarly laudatory, while of their united efforts on the concert platform it has been written: "The combination was ideal." Clearly, listeners to 2YA have reason to be particularly well p leased with the prospect, and few, if any, will fail to ‘tune in" on the evening of the 31st instant.

Great wealth of musical litercgure, Streams of golden melody, will characterise the programmes of this brilliant combination for the week October 381 to November 5. The utter joyousness and strongly rhythmical character of much. of it will make an immediate appeal to even the untrained listener. ‘Trios by Arensky, Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Gade will be played-all works whose popularity increases with each year. : . Anton Arensky (1861-1906) was one of the leading composers of Russia. Amongst many notable works he wrote two trios, both of exceeding beauty. The one to be played is that which is the better known to the public. It probably holds pride of place amongst the lovers of trio music by reason of its unusual wealth of melody, so lyric as to captivate the ear even of the unmusical. In it there is ample scope for each player to show his instrument to the best advantage, both from the standpoint of beauty of tone and brilliance of effect. Nothing can be more haunting than the sweetness of the first melody announced by the ’cello and —

taken up by each instrument in turn. Then follow veritable cascades of sound, which cannot fail to bring purest joy to the listening ear, The second movement is one of the most: brilliant and effective numbers in tle whole of trio literature. The piano part requires the most skilful technical treatment, and a fawny-like lightness of touch, to bring out its fancifulness. The third movement is an elegy, and one of the most touching ever written. Some unusually subtle tonal effects occur between the violin and ’cello. This movement immediately captures the attentions of the listener. The last movement is a strongly rhythmical dance, and irresistibly sets feet and heads moving. It is interésting to note that this beautiful trio was written to the memory of a very great violincellist, Charles Davidof. ~ Schubert has been called the master of melodies, and in his lovely ‘Trio in B Flat," he his given strong evidence of his genius for beautiful melody. Utmost poverty could not daunt his spirit, blessed as it was with the sunshine of joyous melody, and he has left a wealth an

of good cheer and optimism behind him. Although truly this can be called popular music in a wide sense, for it will charm the ear of the man in the street through the sheer loveliness of its melody. . For popularity Mendelssohn’s ‘Trio in D Minor’ is a companion to the Schubert composition, and its clearness of form and directness of appeal have long established it as one of the greatest favourites amongst lovers of music. All its beauties are immediately apparent, and there is no doubt that it will make many friends amongst radio listeners. Only the first movement will be played, during the Trio’s first week at 2YA, the remaining movements being reserved for later programmes, The trio in A. minor, called the "Novelletten Trio,’ was written by Niels Gade (1817-1890), the greatest Danish composer. It is a beautiful example of light music, full of sweetness and sunshine. It is an extremely popular work amongst amateur players, and tadiates good-will wherever it is played, \its spirit being so infectious.