Music / Bloom, The Wattle Trio. At Wesley Music Centre. October 24. Reviewed by ROB KENNEDY.

Yes, it’s blooming season. Even in music, it’s the time of promise and colour, and all expressed through the ephemeral beauty of classical music.

The recently formed Wattle Trio out of the ANU School of Music, in their first solo concert, comprised Dante Costa, flute; Enola Murphy, cello; and Jojo Yuen, piano.

They began with the music of Amy Beach, her Pastorale from Op. 90. And pastorale it was. Mellow, smooth, one could almost see the green fields. The balance between the trio was just right. Each voice played with a clear distinction. This beautiful tonal work opened the concert with a blooming good sound.

Then on to the music of the French composer and flautist, Philippe Gaubert. Wattle performed two of his three watercolour pieces, ii and iii from Trios Aquarelles. This hauntingly sublime work oozes the flavours of the season. What a delicate French work this is. It has fluttering echoes between flute and cello that added subtle colour. The chosen tone colours of the Soir d’Automne were to die for. They left a lasting impression of a deep, watery nature.

The Serenade floated with a rippling effect on the piano as cello and flute added melodic drive. With such gorgeous writing, the trio chose and played well.

Next, local composer Sally Greenaway’s The Strawberry Thief. In three short movements, this was equally sublime, but with an Australian voice. It’s a musical story that tells the tale of a thieving bird that steals strawberries. Each phrase had bird-like images that captured their playful nature.

The second piece, The Secret Garden, was a mysterious, transcendental work full of secrecy and yearning. Then The Little Red Fox with its playful and mischievous technical trickery was perhaps even Bach-like. The flute lines were particularly enchanting throughout this driving and exciting work. Greenaway, who was in the audience, took a bow.

After a short break, we heard the full version of Carl Maria von Weber’s Piano Trio in G minor. With its darkly passionate opening in a romantic vein, this piece is highly structured  with repetitive motives and dramatic sections against introspective passages. Throughout, each instrument got its turn as a leading voice.

It has some strong musical language. The playful parts, which were all very well written, added the most colour and difference to the composition. The third movement was particularly stately for a section titled The Shepherd’s Lament.

The Finale, allegro, was quite a tour de force. Almost experimental at times, but within a tight structure. Each player got to shine in this movement. There was much colour and sunshine in this spring concert. If Wattle keep playing at this standard, they will go far.

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