THE SCHULHOFF TRIO + PIANO - In Concert

THE SCHULHOFF TRIO + PIANO

Christopher Bouwmann - Oboe

Wouter van Diepen – Clarinet

Bram van Sambeek - Bassoon

and Sergey Smirnov - Piano  

    The Schulhoff Trio was founded by three friends during their years of study at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. The first piece they decided to study was Erwin Schulhoff’s “Divertissement”, which led them to name their trio in his honour. The Schulhoff Trio has since then grown to be known as one of the finest wind ensembles in the Netherlands and abroad.

     The fortunate people who came to listen to the Schulhoff Trio + Piano – The CESS Auditorium itself was  a serendipitous discovery for everyone who came there, immaculately maintained, with good acoustics - were all so happy and satisfied with the music, that good vibrations just resonated through the theatre - and you could feel, but not hear, a hum of contentment as though each and every one of the listeners was in a blissful state of well-being. The discerning audience was completely drawn in and attentive to every note and phrase of the compositions being played.

     The Schulhoff Trio + Piano were a delectable treat. Practised to perfection, the musicians were outstanding in their musicianship and needless to say, they were masters of their instruments. Their playing was controlled. The concert was a lesson in creativity, discipline, concentration, confidence, communication and ‘fun’ - as strange a word as it may seem to describe classical music - the musicians were obviously enjoying what they played and enjoying playing with each other as a Trio and as a quartet, so that it was fun to listen to and to see them play.

     The programme started with a Beethoven composition and then a Romance by Schumann, and the next two pieces were a Bach sonata, Organ Sonata No.2 in C minor, BWV 526, by Johann Sebastian Bach, and a composition of Francis Poulenc.

     The Bach Organ Sonata No.2 in C minor, as the name suggests, has been transcribed for a woodwind trio with the Oboe playing the right hand part, the Clarinet the left and the Bassoon playing the part of the pedals of the organ - the organ pedals are a keyboard for the feet. They are laid out just like the manual keyboard and they are used to play the bass notes. To some this was the highlight of the evening; the wind trio turned this composition into an experience of aural and emotional richness. The first movement had the oboe and clarinet bubbling along with lively support from the bassoon. The 2^nd movement had a gently flowing oboe, accompanied by the clarinet in the upper registers with the bassoon providing the gentle bass progressions, and then, unexpectedly, the upper and lower parts reverse their roles. The concluding third movement, though it was at the same time quiet, cheerful and brisk, was firmly handled by the Trio. 

     The last composition, ‘Trio’, was composed by Francis Poulenc -1899-1963. This short composition was described by the composer as "simple but subtle". It was dedicated to Manuel de Falla. The composition was played with great empathy by the musicians, bringing out all the abrupt shifts in mood; its playful harmonies and zestful rhythms. The musicians played this light and witty composition with stunning success and evident pleasure; indeed it was a joy to listen to them play this piece. And this was a good end to a lively, entertaining and satisfying evening of music. We couldn’t ask for better programming, or a better choice of music. It was truly an honour to have been in the presence of these advanced musicians. 

     A bit of trivia for those who are still reading - one of the reasons for the Schulhoff Trio’s tour of India, and especially to Hyderabad, is that Christopher Bouwman’s mother is from Hyderabad, she and Christopher’s father are concert pianists themselves; they teach at The Hague Conservatory in Netherlands. Christopher still has family living in Hyderabad.

     And… there was a bonus for those who waited while the photographers took their pictures, the Trio played a beautiful arrangement of ‘Jana Gana Mana’, our national anthem, and the arrangement was by Christopher’s mother, Katy Bouwman. 

     It was a great evening, enough cannot be said about the musicians, it is not often that Hyderabad gets to hear a wind trio of these musicians’ eminence, or a pianist of Sergey’s ability and talent. Good for us who were there! It was a rare privilege!

Written for Hyderabad Western Music Foundation www.hydmusic.com January 2011