---

Call me uncultured, but classical music always seems like the stuff that should be played in the elevator, or over the speakers at the grocery store.

Well, the Eroica Trio changed that thinking for me. The trio consists of Erika Nickrenz on piano, the newest member Susie Park playing violin and Sara Sant'Ambrogio playing piano. They took the stage, each wearing colourful dresses, almost like it was a fashion event rather than a concert - which made it that much more enjoyable. Admiring their sense of fashion was almost as much fun as listening to the music itself. The piano was situated at the back of the stage, while Park and Sant'Ambrogio sat in front with their instruments.

The first piece played was Trio Sonata No.2 in B minor by composer Jean-Baptiste Loeillet (1680-1730). It was fascinating to watch the three, especially Park, nearly jump off their seats as they moved from the Largo to the Allegro con spirito, the adagio and then the final allegro.

And the audience was feeling the music as much as the trio. A hush fell over the theatre as the three played, and resounding applause filled the room as the final notes finished.

Sara Sant'Ambrogio spent several minutes explaining the second piece, Piano Trio No.2 in E Minor, Op. 67 by Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975). She described Shostakovich as one of the best composers of the twentieth century.

I have to admit, up until this point in my life, I never really thought about music without words having any underlying meaning. Sant'Ambrogio educated me. Shostakovich lived in Russia during the reign of Stalin, often persecuted in a "passive aggressive" way by the leader, according to Sant'Ambrogio. She explained how the music described Shostakovich's frustration and anguish with the way his fellow men were treating the Jews. When the trio actually played the piece, it was beyond amazing. The cello and violins sounded almost ethereal, perfectly complemented by the piano.

Following the interval, the third piece was Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 99 by Franz Schubert (1797-1828). Also, the trio played an extra "dessert piece" entitled The Swan.

Truly, the Erioca Trio could change anyone's mind about classical music - their harmonies are as beautiful as they are, and their concerts are an enlightening experience.[[In-content Ad]]

---