Paradigm displays passion, precision

PARADIGM TRIO, Wasatch Presbyterian Church, Nov. 23.

The Paradigm Trio — Kelly Parkinson, violin; Joel Rosenberg, viola; and Jed Moss, piano — is one of Salt Lake City's premier chamber ensembles. Having performed together for a number of years now, they have developed a fine rapport that manifests itself in their remarkable collaborative efforts. They are focused, in tune with each other and have an uncanny sense for ensemble play.

Replacing the traditional cello with a viola in a piano trio setting gives a new perspective to the repertoire. The texture is, of course, lighter in this configuration and, in some ways, this gives more definition to the music. It's a new way of hearing piano-trio music, and it is certainly a rewarding experience.

The Paradigm Trio presented a superb concert Saturday evening. They gave their sizable audience a somewhat eclectic program of Beethoven and Piazzolla that was surprisingly well-chosen.

The group played three pieces by the Argentinean Piazzolla — "Primavera Portena" and "Invierno Porteno," both from his "Four Seasons" suite, as well as "La Muerta del Angel."

The Paradigm gave a splendid performance of these three short works, capturing the sensuousness of the music, playing it with passion and feeling. It was intense, moving and utterly captivating.

The Piazzolla was bookended with two trios by Beethoven — the op. 11, in B flat major, and the op. 70, no. 1, in D major, the so-called "Ghost Trio."

The three artists were exceptional in the D major Trio. They brought out the essence of the work, ranging from the studied somberness of the slow movement to the animated and light outer movements.

The opening movement was characterized by a brisk tempo that let the music flow smoothly. The interpretation allowed for the inherent lyricism found in the movement to come through succinctly. The Paradigm played it with rhythmic vitality that made it come wonderfully alive.

The slow movement was played with a sensitivity that captured the beauty of the music and gave it depth and profound meaning.

In the finale, the ensemble captured the music's good-natured humor perfectly, with its whimsical twists and turns.

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