by csnowden on April 4th, 2008
The first annual Celebrating Women Composers concert at Texas State University delighted the audience with seldom-heard chamber pieces, and the premiere of new works by a trio of up-and-coming Texas women composers. The brainchild of Stephanie Britten Phillips, and supported by the Composition Division of the School of Music, the program honored Diversity Month and Women’s History Month with a bouquet of chamber works in unusual configurations.
In an evening filled with outstanding works and performances, the White Oak Trio, comprised of Meryl Ettelson (piano), Martha Lisle (cello), and Steven McMillan (violin) served up a special treat—the Trio for Piano, Violin, and Cello by Rebecca Clarke. Passionate and powerful, Clarke’s writing calls to mind the chamber works of Debussy, Shostakovich, and Respighi, spanning a wide range of styles–from Impressionism to Neo-Classical. The three movement piece was underscored by a rhythmic insistence, richly textured with soaring solo and unison lines, bold harmonies layered in double stops, pizzicato strings dancing above piano arpeggios, demonstrating the composer’s intimate knowledge of each instrument.
The exquisitely balanced White Oak Trio interpreted each nuance of the remarkable work with elegance and sensitivity. Watch for more on these performers and composers.
This review is available in its entirety at: www.thegoodmusician.com.