Eroica shows classics’ lighter sides

EUREKA SPRINGS — The first half of the recital by the Eroica Trio (Erika Nickrenz, piano; Susie Park, violin; and Sara Sant-Ambrogio, cello) Thursday night at the City Auditorium was just for fun.

Part of the 2012 CICA Summer Music Festival, the program featured a few of their lighterweight signature pieces, including fine performances of two (a sprightly “Autumn” and a rambunctious “Spring”) of the Four Seasons of Buenos Aires by Astor Piazzolla, separated by Piazzola’s slowly lush Oblivion.

They also delighted the crowd with the highly infectious Cafe Music by Paul Schoenfield - the crowd was so delighted it applauded after each of the three movements.

And they explored the moreplayful side of Ludwig van Beethoven with his Ten Variations on Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu, op.121a, a slow, funereal introduction followed by a goofy little tune about a tailor that spokesman Sant-Ambrogio referred to as “one of the stupidest themes ever written by man.”

The playing was far from stupid, however, with each instrument getting its own starring variation. The three musicians made it fun to watch as well as listen to by making it obvious that they were having fun playing it.

After intermission, things got serious, a performance (without Sant-Ambrogio preamble) of the Piano Trio No. 1 in B major, op.8, by Johannes Brahms.

One of his earliest works, which the composer reworked extensively late in life, the piece shows off all of the elementsthat make Brahms’ chamber music so enthralling, including the rapid shifts from lyrical to frenzied, and the trio played with considerable joy, skill and gusto. Tempos were excellent, with the possible exception of the second movement Scherzo, which was surprisingly quick.

The three women will also solo in Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Triple” Concerto in a chamber orchestra concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at “the Aud.” The trio will also play at 2 p.m. today for high tea at the Grand Central Hotel, 37 N. Main St.

The festival continues through July 7. Visit theaud. org to purchase tickets; additional information on the festival is available by calling (901) 219-3931, e-mailing [email protected] or at the website, cicamusicfestival.org.