Music / Alpenrose Trio. At DW Music, Fyshwick, August 7. Reviewed by GRAHAM McDONALD

The Alpenrose Trio are a young chamber ensemble made up of Australian musicians Bernice Chua on piano and violinist Fiona Qiu with Polish cellist Jan Lomosik. All three have been undertaking postgraduate studies in Australia and with the support of their teachers at the Mozarteum University have formed this trio.

They are now embarking on the formidable task of establishing themselves on the European circuit, with a major chamber music competition entry planned for later this year.

Instead of a (northern) summer break they are undertaking an Australian tour with performances in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in addition to three in Canberra. This concert, in the piano showroom of DW Music in Fyshwick, was a sparkling showcase of two well known piano trios by Brahms and Shostakovich. With most of the pianos moved out of the way, the showroom is a vibrant and intimate venue for 40 or so people with a bright, resonant acoustic ideal for this kind of chamber music.

Pianist Bernice Chua  grew up in Canberra and received a Critics Circle Award in 2021 while violinist Qiu is originally from Queensland. With the addition of cellist Lomosik they look comfortable playing together, with smiles and nods while watching for cues. 

The Brahms Piano Trio No 1 in B major, in its 1889 revision was a delight. The beginning of the first movement was a little hesitant, but that quickly settled down. The second movement with its melodic themes was a delight as the focus shifted between the instruments and the slow third movement, which would have shown up any weakness in their ensemble playing, was assured and tight.

The Shostakovich Piano Trio No 2 in E minor, first performed in 1944 is a much more vigorous work, opening with harmonics on both violin and cello with ominous piano chords lurking below. The second movement with short rhythmic downwards glissandos from both strings had the Qiu’s bow shedding hairs. The third movement is impossibly sad before the final movement  full of Eastern European melodies and dance music that builds to a fine finish.

A short movement from a Beethoven trio as an encore was a very satisfying end to a most enjoyable concert and a clever piece of programming to send the audience out feeling more relaxed then they might be after the intensity of the Shostakovich.