Ensemble Liaison with Jack Liebeck

Nino Rota
Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano

Béla Bartók
Contrasts for Violin, Clarinet and Piano Sz.111

Antonín Dvořák
Piano Trio No.2 in G minor, Op.26

John Mackey
Breakdown Tango

Ensemble Liaison welcomes international violin superstar Jack Liebeck to join them for this program of dramatic contrasts. The exquisite trio from notable film composer Nino Rota (The Godfather, La Strada) is followed by another trio, this time by Hungarian composer, Bela Bartok. Commissioned by famed musicians, clarinetist Benny Goodman and violinist Joseph Szigeti, two exciting folk dances bookend a central movement entitled ‘relaxation’. Of note is that both the clarinetist and the violinist have to play two instruments each as the work accelerates to a frantic conclusion. Tragedy enshrouds Dvořák’s Second Piano Trio in g minor.

Written not long after the death of his newborn daughter, it is full of wistful nostalgia with beautiful flowing melodies infused with Czech folk music. Ultimately a work that moves on with life-affirming gratitude.

To conclude, another dance, this time by American John Mackey. He writes, ‘My music is about tune and rhythm, and rhythm is the most important thing. Breakdown Tango has a virtuosic beginning and ending, with a peculiar tango sandwiched in the middle.’