Significance: Trio Mastro’s recital titled Visions in Petaling Jaya on April 7, 2024 highlights the musical journey of renowned composers -Joseph Haydn, Antonin Dvorak and Vasyl Barvinsky.
By Foong Pek Yee.
foongpekyee@gmail.com
April 12, 2024
Joseph Haydn ( 1732-1809) was a court musician for the very wealthy and influential Esterhazy family near Vienna.
It was certainly more than a prestigious job for the Austrian composer whose talent and potential was recognized and admired by the head of the Esterhazy family, Prince Nikolaus.
Thus, the gifted Haydn, who was under the employment of the Esterhazy for 30 years, found himself a conducive environment to develop and excel in his music.
His works like the piano trios, string quartets and symphonies set the stage for later development of the genre by renowned composers including Beethoven.
Meanwhile Antonin Dvorak’s composition “Dumky” trio is an unusual format of five interconnected movements, and the Czech composer (1841-1904) is also known as the master of melody.
Unlike Haydn and Dvorak who were from humble background and had to fend for themselves in the early part of their career, Ukrainian composer Vasyl Barvinsky (1888- 1963) was from an older aristocratic family.
Barvinsky’s father was a public figure, while his mother who was a pianist and singer was his first music teacher.
He drew heavily in Ukranian folk influence for his piano trio.
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Choice compositions: The works of Haydn, Dvorak and Barvinsky played by Trio Mastro at their recital titled Visions in Yin Qi Music, Petaling Jaya, on April 7, 2024.
In harmony: Trio Mastro and their audience on April 7, 2024.
In Petaling Jaya, Malaysia on April 7, 2024, Trio Mastro showcased the works of Haydn, Dvorak and Barvinsky in a recital titled Visions: Works by Haydn, Dvorak and Barvinsky.
“The recital showcases music by visionary composers,” says Lee Jae Phang, Trio Mastro’ s pianist.
The other two members of Trio Mastro are cellist Lyubomira Stankova and violinist cum composer Hank Su Ren Han.
Lee Jae is Malaysian, Lyu a Bulgarian and Hank a Taiwanese.
The three award-winning musicians have chalked up many years honing their skills and performing abroad.
They first met in Kuala Lumpur end of 2022, formed Trio Mastro not long after and currently based in Malaysia.
Lee Jae says Trio Mastro will continue to have recitals at different venues in the Klang Valley to share their music as far as possible.
