Raphael Trio worth braving the elements

ORONO – After sliding in sleet and snow and hitting a guardrail on my way to attend a Sunday afternoon performance of the Raphael Trio in Orono, this reviewer hereby announces that she would drive on black ice through an all-out blizzard just to hear this ensemble play Mendelssohn again.

The Raphael Trio has been attracting audiences in all kinds of weather since its debut nearly 29 years ago. So it was no surprise that Minsky Recital Hall at the Maine Center for the Arts was nearly full, despite the slippery roads.

After taking the stage to polite applause, cellist Susan Salm, violinist Andy Simionescu and pianist Daniel Epstein began the afternoon’s program with a performance of Beethoven’s “Kakadu Variations.” Based on “Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu,” or “I am Kakadu the Tailor” from Wenzel Muller’s 1794 singspiel, “The Sisters from Prague,” this piece was reminiscent of Mozart’s lighter work, especially some of the melodies in “The Magic Flute.”

The trio played flawlessly, with timing so uncannily perfect, it was as if one person played all three instruments.

Nonetheless, this first piece felt cold and uninspired, as if it were a fantastic clockwork toy to be marveled at but not really loved.

Then came the Mendelssohn Trio in C Minor, Op. 66, and everything changed. Beginning emotionally with tension and passion, pianist Epstein ripped out liquid arpeggios and strong chords. Salm and Simionescu played with sweetness, longing and desire.

Most exquisite was the second movement, with its slow hymnlike theme. The trio sustained this poignant lyricism until the very end, a painfully beautiful diminuendo.

Following the andante was a delightful scherzo played with precision and growing tension, ending with a series of plucked notes, leading into the finale: allegro appassionato, which brought the piece to a swirling passionate climax.

After a short intermission the ensemble returned to perform the very challenging Trio in F Minor, Op. 65, of Antonin Dvorak.

The opening notes seemed a bit tentative, and as the piece progressed, a series of tiny but cumulative errors in timing, phrasing and intonation kept the Raphael Trio from playing their best. There were wonderful moments, especially the cello and violin “songs” in the adagio. If anything saved this piece it was the strength of Dvorak’s melodic writing and the great feeling with which it was performed.

After giving the ensemble a standing ovation, the audience was treated to one more Mendelssohn Scherzo, this from the Trio in D Minor, Op. 49. After an all-too-short frolicking, frisking, melodic and mischievous movement, the concert was over.

Perhaps the Dvorak was disappointing. Perhaps the Beethoven was uninspired. But the Mendelssohn made it all worth it. Thank you, Raphael Trio!

Helen York can be reached at heyork@hotmail.com.