TRIO LALIQUE
Photo credit: @Andrej Grilc
Described as 'superb' and 'sensational', the Trio Lalique was founded in 2022 by pianist Ilya Kondratiev, violinist Yuri Kalnits and cellist Julia Morneweg, each already a renowned chamber musician in their own right. Their debut as a group in the prestigious Pharos Arts Foundation series in Nicosia (Cyprus) was praised for its virtuosity and musical artistry alike.
Between them, they have performed as soloists and chamber musicians at many of the world’s greatest concert halls including London’s Southbank Centre, King’s Place, Zurich Tonhalle, Munich’s Gasteig, Suntory Hall and the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatoire as well as at major festivals.
Outside of their work as a trio, Ilya, Yuri and Julia also collaborate in larger chamber music formations as part of the acclaimed London ensemble ChamberMusicBox.
Some superb playing from the Trio Lalique in an unusually full St Olave’s Tower Hill. Gathered to hear Trios by Brahms, Schubert and Shostakovich played by three refined chamber music players. An interesting juxtaposition of works from a Schubert that sounds like Beethoven and a Shostakovich that sounds like Brahms and of course Brahms …………..that sounds like ………….
Some beautiful playing with the piano lid fully opened that helped integrate the sound so well with the violin and cello. It was very interesting to hear this very early work of Schubert that although obviously influenced by Haydn and Beethoven even at this early age shows a mastery and an individual voice. It was played with charm but also with the solidity where the harmonic polyphony became so much part of its structure.
It was in the Brahms Trio though where the three artists were able to play with grandiosity and eloquence. The Andante con moto with the unison between violin and cello producing a mellow outpouring of searing intensity. There was a fleeting urgency to the Scherzo as the piano seemed to be taking wing only to be thwarted by the soaring melodic line of the violin and the sumptuous full sounds of the trio.The insinuating urgency of the Allegro giocosa lead to an ending of grandeur and nobility.
The Shostakovich was like the Schubert a very early work written when only sixteen. It already has an unmistakable voice that was exulted by the passionate virtuosity of Ilya matched by the equally inspired Yuri and Julia. All three united with passionate sounds that filled this beautiful church and brought an ovation from a public that had followed these fine performances with rapt attention.
Christopher Axworthy, November 2023
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