Stephen Upshaw (viola) Veronika Trisko (piano)

Subtitled ‘Exoticism and Folk Music’, when the lightest item in the programme is Bartók’s ‘Romanian Folk Dances’ you know you’ve got to listen hard. Transposed down for the viola, they sounded more earthy. Perhaps Upshaw could have managed a few more zigeuner flourishes.
Raymond Yui’s ‘Elegiac Fragments’ for solo viola were suitably melancholic with a definite touch of Middle-Eastern colour and made for interesting listening. A few words of introduction would have enhanced our appreciation. I found the Bloch ‘Suite for viola and piano’ less accessible than the Bartók. It was redeemed by Veronika Trisko’s very attentive and sensitive accompaniment.

Brighton Dome Studio Theatre, 11 May 2015

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