Lubimov / Trostianki / Rybakov — Misterioso
(ECM New Series 1959, 2006, CD)
by Jeff Melton,
Published 2007-03-01

As part of ECM's continuing new music series, enter a semi-classical
trio who embrace the quietudes of modern compositional expression with
a keen sense of space and beauty by focusing on modern Russian based
composers. Alexei Lubimov's piano playing drives much of the duet and
trio performances with both his melodic and rhythmic abilities across
the nine pieces. His sensitive reading of composer Alexei Silvestrov's
"Post Scriptum" excels in the "Allegro" section, purposefully withdraws
in the "Andantino" section and ends pensively in the final "Allegro Vivace,
Con Moto" part. Lubimov displays a foundational approached needed to anchor
Kyril Rybakov's solo clarinet performance by Arvo Pärt. Pärt's music
is well known in the classical realm for his mastery of large ensemble
arrangements to render poignant sweeping themes and a somber but graceful
delivery. In this context the sparse arrangement gives way to a different
kind of openness instilled with dense mystery and tension. On the lighter
side, Utvolskaya's pieces have a childlike sense of playfulness and
resolution which the trio easily embraces in the first "Espressivo"
opening part. The countermelodies played in the "Dolce" section are
a bit obtuse by plan, thus creating a natural discomfort but retaining
a careful structure. The nineteen minute "Sonata for Violin and Piano"
closes the disc with both Lubimov and Trostiansky leveraging individual
skill with favorable adaptation delivering an amicable ending. Overall
the trio clearly demonstrates mastery and purpose in performance of the
composer's material.
Filed under: New releases, Issue 34, 2006 releases
Related artist(s): Alexei Lubimov, Kirill Rybakov, Alexader Trostianki