Gould Piano Trio

Trio in G, Op 1 No. 2 - Beethoven

Trio on Irish Folk Tunes - Martin

Elegy - Suk

Trio in C, Op 87 - Brahms

Seldom have I heard music played with such fiery enthusiasm as it was by the Gould Piano Trio in the Royal Hospital, Donnybrook, on Sunday. These young players would not be content to underplay anything; overstatement would be preferable; so they show us not the demure, private aspect of chamber music, but chamber music as grand opera. With their fine modern instruments they can make a big sound, so why not do so?

Beethoven's Opus 1, with its often explosive effects, invites extravagant treatment; Brahms's magniloquent Opus 87 sounds as if many more than three instruments are involved; both of these works were played with such panache that one could have imagined that the very hall seemed to vibrate. These big works were made to sound big and there was no mistaking the big tunes.

Martin's Trio on Irish Folk Tunes was performed with equal energy and one forgot that the tunes, though recognisably Irish, were not created by the composer, for what was happening around them was as important as the tunes and the driving rhythms were more relentless than dance-like.

Suk's Elegy was in the big Romantic tradition and was played with great fervour. As with all the works one wondered if a little reticence might not have been more affecting, but during the actual playing one was swept along by the impetus of the Gould Piano Trio.