Sterling performance by German trio

Islamabad
The trio flew down from Germany, well in fact the two of them as the third one has been in German embassy in Islamabad for the last two years already, to give a warm performance on a pleasantly chilly evening Friday. Ms Lisa Rogers and Mr Thomas Weibschnur came from Germany and Ms Yukiko Tidten-Yoshikawa joined them in Islamabad to complete the ‘Trio’.
‘A Trio Concert’, as it was titled on the invitation sent out by the embassy, was the second musical performance over a period of less than three weeks. The last one was a ‘Recital’ by a French duo of Ms Juliette de Massy and Mr Bogdan Nesterenkov, which was co-hosted in the Germany embassy auditorium by the Embassies of France and Germany on October 26.
On Friday evening it was Lisa Rogers on ‘Horn’, Yukiko Tidten-Yoshikawa on ‘Piano’ and Thomas Weibschnur on ‘Clarinet’ to entertain a sizable gathering amidst rapt silence. The start was husky and sleepy as the Mr Rogers blew on Horn, growing louder, steadier as if calling out somebody in the distance and then and then the ‘Clarinet’ responded. Mr Weibschnur smoothly joined, jerkily and moodily.
All of a sudden the two have fallen on the same note, serene tunes flowing out of their instruments and floating around in the auditorium. Complimenting and supporting like two companions walking down a meadow, hand-in-hand, leaning on each other. The Clarinet became more jovial as the Horn continued to lead systematically and consistently. It was special composition prepared especially for the occasion based on Kevin Beavers’ symphony.
Next Ms Rogers was joined by Ms Yukiko Tidten-Yoshikawa on Piano. The presentation sounded like a bed time rendition, soft and lilting with Horn leading and the Piano following, reaching out to the moon, playing with the stars. The music fell nicely on ears, easing the tension from the body and soul. The silence was so complete that even the turning of the page by the Pianist made an audible ‘click’. It was the ‘Nocturno’ by Franz Strauss.
The ‘Clarinet Sonata no. 2’ by Johannes Brahms was the next wonderful presentation. A pebble is thrown in a pond creating ripples, spreading outward, creating circles of pleasure and peace. Another pebble is thrown. The outward waves start spreading again. It was exciting and entertaining. There was peace. Music was flowing out of piano like a balmy breeze, tickling and soothing at the same time.
The music turned more energetic as it grew stronger and louder, rising and falling, halting for a moment to embrace the warmth and become even more invigorating, flowing freely and vigorously. It seemed like winds playing with water. It sounded like the music of running streams and natural brooks and the winds blowing all over the vast meadows and skirting undulating hillocks.
And in the end it was the ‘Trio for Piano, Horn and Clarinet’ by Carl Reinecke with the Horn taking the lead, the Piano spreading melodies and the Clarinet creating ripples. The passions seemed to be building. It sounded stronger and stronger, swirling around as if pouring out of every nook and corner. The trio was playing its magic, rising higher and higher, casting their spell. It seemed as if the music has become tangible and if one may wish one can reach out and touch the rising and falling of waves of sounds pouring out of the instruments. And then suddenly there was a deafening silence which was broken by the loud applause.
The trio took its bows and descended from the stage but had to return for the second round of bows as the crowd continued to clap enthusiastically to express their appreciation. It indeed was a lovely evening, culminating on a warm note.
Earlier, Mr Peter Felten, the Deputy Head of the Mission of German Embassy spoke briefly, welcoming the guests and introducing the artistes and highlighting their achievements. He also announced that the evening marked the closure of such cultural events for the year 2015 but promised that the calendar for such cultural events for the year 2016 offers a lot of promise. The guests were entertained to light refreshments at the end of the programme.