Hibernia String Trio

{TABLE} Trio in B flat D471 .................. Schubert Trio in minor Op 9 No 3 .............. Beethoven String Trio Op 21 .................... Brian Boydell Trio in C Op 10 ...................... Dohnanyi {/TABLE} THE Hibernia String Trio is a new chamber ensemble, whose emergence is one of the add on benefits of the establishment of the Irish Chamber Orchestra in Limerick last year. The group's players Briona Cahill (violin), Joachim Roewer (viola), and Richard Jenkinson (cello) are all ICO members and they have been working together as a trio since late last year.

My first opportunity to hear them was at one of the Music Network's new ESB sponsored Musicwide concerts in Dundalk on Thursday, where the inclusion of Brian Boydell's String Trio represented the new group's commitment to the work of contemporary composers.

Dr Boydell was at the concert and gave a short introduction to the piece, which was completed in 1944 and which he regards as being the first of his works to carry the stamp of an individual voice. In spite of the liveliness, indeed agitation of some of the writing, the prevailing character of the music comes across as a sort of gentle melancholy. It was the first movement which worked best in the Hibernia Trio's performance, some of the later ideas, in particular the glissando effects of the finale, did not always gell successfully.

The playing, as throughout the evening, was strongly characterised, and well scaled to work within the confines of the Dundalk Museum's small auditorium. Brona Cahill exhibits moments of nervy excitability side by side with an unusual affinity for long breathed phrasing. Joachim Roewer is a rock solid player, sounding at times more like a violin in disguise than a throaty viola. And Richard Jenkinson, a cellist of refined sensibility, contributes a warmth both tonal and emotional.

Al though, it was the Dohnanyi Serenade which brought out the best in these young players, it was good to be reminded, too, of the substance of Beethoven's contribution to a medium which remains under represented in Irish concert life.