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Clara Schumann's trio is very tightly constructed (without sounding academic) and with impressively imaginative themes. The performance brought out its depth of passion. There were exquisite touches (like the graceful pickup beats in the scherzo played by Annette-Barbara Vogel). We should all know this work -- anything less is historical falsification.

There were many other beautiful details throughout the evening -- such as Elizabeth Bergmann's sparkling scales in the first movement of the Beethoven, which were matched by clean, clear, quick and beautifully in tune passage-work by Annette-Barbara Vogel. Beth Root Sandvoss has a beautiful sound, coupled with an excellent sense of harmony -- something crucial in a cellist.

This newly formed Trio Albonata is good news for chamber music in Canada and beyond.

By the way, Albonata is not a town or place in Italy. But I won't reveal its meaning or derivation. I leave that to the reader.