Spring at Ascension
Samadhi in Sanskrit refers to the highest state of meditation, the one in which the self becomes one with the universe. As extrapolated to music by the Samadhi Trio -- violinist Nancy Caralyn Illman, cellist Jennifer Wheatley and pianist Melody Wallace -- this means becoming one with the music.
The newly-formed ensemble opened the spring series of "Music at Ascension" March 17 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Montgomery.
It was a generous program, with front-to-back Beethoven, sonatas by Mozart and Brahms, a duo for violin and cello by Boccherini and, as if to underline the meaning of the Trio's name, "Meditation" from the opera "Thais" by Jules Massenet.
It made for a lengthy evening. And with Beethoven's magnificent "Archduke" Trio placed last, some of its impact may have been lost (along with some of the audience). Still, as Shakespeare said, "If music be the food of love, play on." The Trio obviously love making music together and often exchanged smiles as they played.
Beethoven's Piano Trio in C Major (adapted from a duo for clarinet and bassoon) made a spunky opener. Mozart's Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano, K.305, and Brahms' Sonata No. 1 in E Minor for Cello and Piano, Op.38, lent a distinctly recital flavor to the program. Illman (concertmaster of the Seven Hills Sinfonietta) demonstrated a bright, pointed tone in the Mozart, while the Brahms gave Wheatley (a 1997 graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music) an excellent opportunity to demonstrate why she calls her cello "Napoleon": She gets a big, lush sound from it, despite its petite size (made in Paris ca. 1790 by Joseph Grosselet).
The wonderfully melodic "Archduke" is always a delight to hear, and the Trio presented it well. Wallace (teacher, accompanist and music director at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fairfield) glorified the slow movement, as she did the program in general.
"Music in Ascension" is a fine series, one of many church-based music programs in Greater Cincinnati. Founder David Bezona, an operatic tenor re-located to Cincinnati where he now serves as director of music at Ascension, puts together unusual and varied programs, with diverse ensembles. (See review on this site of the opera gala heard at Ascension in September, 2010, http://www.musicincincinnati.com/site/reviews_2010/A_Grand_Night_for_Singing.html.)
Coming up at "Music at Ascension"
April 14 -- White Orchid Celtic Trio
May 5 -- Classical Guitar Ensemble of CCM
May 26 -- 6th annual "Stars of Tomorrow" (young Cincinnati musicians ages 16-19)
Concerts are Saturdays at 7 pm. at Ascension Lutheran Church, 7333 Pfeiffer Rd. in Montgomery. Admission is free, with donations accepted. For information, call (513) 793-3288 or (513) 237-3636.