Miami Piano Festival > Press Releases 2005

The languorous strains and fiery eruptions of gypsy violins and guitars have provided inspiration for some of the greatest composers of the past three centuries. The Chameleon Series celebrated that legacy on Sunday at its final program of the season.

Two trios for violin, piano and cello bookended the intimate concert at the Leiser Opera Center. Haydn's Trio in G Major reflects the elegance of rococo classicism with a dose of Hungarian musical flavoring. The subtle interplay of Michael Klotz's incisive violin, Iris van Eck's patrician cello and Misha Dacic's sensitive keyboard figurations was devoid of overt exhibitionism, allowing the music to speak with natural, unforced lyricism.

Klotz brought unusual depth to the emotional contours of the Poco adagio. The Rondo all'Ongarese finale received brisk, effervescent treatment from the trio, with Dacic cutting loose in the gypsy interlude.
Dvorak's Piano Trio in E minor (Dumky) emerged freshly minted in the Chameleon threesome's exciting and richly communicative interpretation. From the mysterious opening measures of the Lento maestoso to the robust Furiants and Czech dances, the players exhibited a sense of wonder in every bar. In the second movement, Van Eck's rich cello tone communicated Dvorak's Bohemian nostalgia.

After Dacic's flowing octaves of keyboard color in the Andante, a blazing rendition of the concluding Vivace dazzled with surefire bravura. The musicians played with the polished ensemble and precision of a full-time chamber music group.

Dacic had a field day with Vladimir Horowitz's extravagant elaboration of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No.2, encompassing the powerhouse fireworks and rollicking dance rhythms with incendiary verve. In the coda, the pianist's hands flew across the keyboard in a visual blur.

Although Romanian by birth, Georges Enescu lived in Paris for much of his professional life. His Concert Piece for viola and piano reflects the Franco-European élan of Saint-Saens and Chausson. Klotz, a member of the Amernet String Quartet and principal violist of the Boca Raton Symphonia, played this beautiful score with aristocratic restraint.

Van Eck performed the rarely heard cello version of Bartok's First Rhapsody, composed in 1928 for legendary violinist Joseph Szigeti. The deeper colors of the cello bring the music's dark, brooding subtext to the fore. Van Eck mastered Bartok's high flying harmonics in a performance of intense fervor with a dash of Hungarian paprika.

The Chameleon Series ends season with emotional depth