6 October 2008

ABRUZZI TRIO

Laura Jellicoe  flute, Bernard Gregor-Smith  cello. Yolande Wrigley  piano

The Abruzzi Trio was formed in Italy in 1994. It is an unusual instrumental line-up and the repertoire for the three instruments is quite small, although with the addition of various duos delightful programmes of less often heard music can be devised. The players are all seasoned and well-established musicians. Laura Jellicoe was one time flautist with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and later Guest Principal Flute with the BBC Philharmonic, the Hallé Orchestra etc. She has also been soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the City of London Sinfonia.  Bernard Gregor-Smith was founder cellist of the internationally-renowned Lindsay Quartet, recently disbanded. Yolande Wrigley is a regular BBC broadcaster and an acclaimed chamber musician. Each has a highly successful individual career but come together through a love of chamber music and a passion for the repertoire of this wonderful combination of instruments.

Programme

Haydn   Trio in G

Beethoven  Variations on a theme from Judas Maccabeus

Richard Sisson  Variations on Amo, amas, amat for trio

Poulenc  Flute Sonata

Martinu   Trio

The Haydn is one of three original trios for this combination of instruments – they must be one of the first pieces written for the line-up. Beethoven’s variations for cello and piano are based on the well-known swaggering tune by Handel See, the conqu’ring hero comes and are really fun. Richard Sisson is a great favourite at the Music Club and a good deal of his music has been heard here, to the invariable delight of audiences. His trio variations on the Eton Boating Song composed in 1996 are immediately winning and have been thoroughly enjoyed on two previous hearings here. The Abruzzi Trio has prepared the piece especially for this concert. Poulenc’s haunting flute sonata dates from 1947, while Martinu’s Trio was written in 1944.