Leopold String Trio with Diedre Irons: at Auckland Town Hall

By WILLIAM DART

One could sense a disappointment in Wednesday's programme not being what most of the audience had been expecting. One reason, doubtlessly, was the cancellation of pianist Paul Lewis. The other, and cause for greater dismay, was a change of programming which removed the one work from the original lineup that looked really intriguing - Dohnanyi's String Trio.

Standing in for Lewis with less than a week's notice, Diedre Irons was the soul of professionalism. Brahms' Opus 60 Piano Quartet was memorable. The first movement stole upon us and the strings' first statement sang out with an astonishing richness of tone. Throughout, moments of yearning lyricism were balanced by those of explosive fervour.

Despite its rhythmic complexities, the scherzo was as taut as could be and an exquisite Andante was introduced by Kate Gould's cello at its most expressive.

The most enthusiastic audience response was given to Beethoven's G major Trio, the first of the composer's Opus 9 set. Perhaps some knew the Leopold's recording; others may have been aware of how fine these works are. But the astonishment for many must have been the complexity and body of sound that could be drawn from three instruments.

The Leopolds were fine advocates for the work, particularly in pointing the formal complexities of the opening Allegro con brio.

The first half of the evening made demands and offered rewards. After interval, Mozart's E flat Piano Quartet K 493 was a let-down.

Ultimately the problem lies with the music. Written after Mozart's patrons had been perplexed by the emotional power of the earlier G minor Quartet K 478, the later Quartet is comparatively shallow. The passagework in the first movement is too often routine, the slow movement apart from some searching writing for the strings is undistinguished and the final Rondo sometimes paper thin.

This was not top-drawer Mozart playing. Irons' playing came up with brilliance when something more subtle was needed, and tiredness robbed the Finale of some gleam.

An encore was not offered, but even a smidgen of Dohnanyi would have revived the spirits.