Now here was a concert to gladden the heart of any Yorkshireman, it was a buy one, get one free offer. As well as the advertised work, Clarinet Trio Op. 114 by Brahms, we were treated to a second, this time from Beethoven, namely his Clarinet Trio in B flat major Op. 11. Not only that, but they were played by three incredible musicians in Dewsbury Town Hall on the first warm day of the summer with the sun streaming through the windows. Some things just turn out great.
I was not familiar with either of the works, but that didn’t matter as everything was explained by the performers before each piece, and with two of the best loved composers’ works to look forward to, what I did know was that I wasn’t going to go home disappointed.
The musicians were; Oliver Casanovas Nuevo on clarinet, Jessica Burroughs, cello, and pianist, David Cowan, all three of whom are currently with the Orchestra of Opera North.
Oliver Casanovas Nuevo was the featured performer as he was on clarinet, the titles of the pieces being a bit of a giveaway there. He is of Spanish descent but according to his Facebook page, now lives in Stockholm. The last posting was in May 2022 so he might have moved a little nearer the day job by now, although, as we all know, Leeds is well worth the long-distance commute. He has played in orchestras and as a soloist in various parts of the world but is now Section Leader Clarinet of the Orchestra of Opera North.
Speaking of Section Leaders, Jessica Burroughs holds that position in the Cello Department, and it was she who told us of the background to the Beethoven piece which opened the recital. Apparently, although another erstwhile globetrotter, she only has to make the trip into Leeds from the Calder Valley.
The work was composed in 1797 and published the following year. It was one of the first chamber pieces to incorporate the new fangled woodwind instrument and, in order to retain a bit of credibility, Ludwig van The Man, also scored it for piano, cello and violin. Fortunately we got the original line up.
The Trio is in three movements, beginning with a joyful passage which is followed by a slower, more melodic section returning to a lively finale. Should you want to listen to the first movement, Allegro, please click on the link below. Obviously this is not the same group of performers we were fortunate enough to be entertained by, but they are not too shabby in their own way.
The main event was introduced by David Cowan, Head of Music at Opera North since 2015, so we had all the big hitters present. Like the other two he travelled the world performing, and teaching before landing in Leeds.
Brahms wrote his trio in 1891 when the clarinet had become more accepted as a serious instrument. He had intended to retire a year earlier and told his publisher that it was ‘finally time to quit’. After hearing clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld perform shortly after this decision, he did a Frank Sinatra and was inspired to write three clarinet chamber pieces. Had he heard Acker Bilk play Stranger on the Shore he would probably have knocked out a couple of symphonies for the instrument as well.
Mr Cowan described the trio as rather dark, which three of the four movements were, the third being a bit more cheery. It was probably just as well that the sun was shining or the walk from the Town Hall to the Bus Station would have not been so pleasant.
If you can’t find your Leonard Cohen albums and need an antidote against the summer sunshine, then here is the first movement.
It goes without saying, but that has never stopped me before, that the musicianship was superb and, although ostensibly clarinet works, the other two instruments were not neglected, both being asked to do some heavy lifting throughout. The intricacy required of the cello and piano was more than impressively executed.
Not only did I enjoy the concert but have had an enjoyable time listening to these two clips whilst writing the article. Dewsbury Lunchtime Concerts, the gift that keeps on giving.
I now have some good news and some bad news – you never get those kind of jokes anymore do you. The bad news is that there is only one more concert in this season – the good news is that it is the wonderful sitar player, composer and all round good chap, Jasdeep Singh Degun, so, if you fancy a real treat, get along to Dewsbury Town Hall on Wednesday, 10th July at 12.30pm for the big finish.
For more details of the coming productions from Opera North, including their 2024-2025 Season, please go to https://www.operanorth.co.uk/ and tell them Stan Graham sent you!
To see what is on at Dewsbury Town Hall it is https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/town-halls/events-and-shows.aspx
Tyke It To The Limit 