Schoenberg’s epoch-making Pierrot Lunaire is not frequently performed, so finding it programmed at the Penarth Chamber Music festival underlined the calibre and intent of this event in only its second year. The recently refurbished Pier Pavilion offered the Gould Piano Trio – extended with family and friends – a delightful concert space, and here was a nice twist to the tradition of end-of-the-pier entertainment where pierrot-style players might have capered at the time when Schoenberg’s piece was conceived over a century ago.

… after Serenade and its rapport with Alice Neary’s cello, the gentle rocking of the boat taking Pierrot back to his native Bergamo had an understated beauty, with the work as a whole realising both intimacy and a remarkable intensity.

“The earlier evening concert gave us Ravel and Debussy, making a neat connection with the latter’s Cello Sonata, whose original title was Pierrot Fâché Avec la Lune (Pierrot Angry With the Moon). Neary and pianist Benjamin Frith made its capricious Serenade an excellent foil for that of Schoenberg.”

Harpist Gabriella dell’Olio joined the lineup for Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro, all sunshine and air, but his Piano Trio stood out in a ravishing performance by the Goulds.

The Concerts:

Gould Piano Trio
Sara Fulgoni, mezzo-soprano
Gabriella dell’Olio, harp
Penarth Chamber Music Festival, July 2015

Debussy Cello Sonata, L.135
Ravel Piano Trio in A minor, M.67
Ravel Introduction and Allegro, M.46

Schoenberg Pierrot Lunaire, op.21

photo: classicalsource.com