The Divertimento Piano Trio

Described as "Three brilliant musicians who take ensemble playing to a level where the whole is far greater than the sum of the three individual parts", the The Divertimento Piano Trio is an outstanding ensemble presenting over thirty concerts each year in the UK and on classical music cruises. Founded in 1997 by cellist Vicky Evans, it takes its name from the 18th century musical form of the divertimento with its connotation of entertainment and pleasure to the ear. Acclaimed for innovative programming and dynamic performance.

Vicky Evans, cellist, founded the Trio in 1997. She plays in and manages a number of chamber ensembles and orchestras in Devon and also runs Divertimento Entertainments.
Mary Eade, the Trio's distinguished and much sought after violinist, was a principal player in the English Chamber Orchestra and is greatly in demand as soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player and director.
Margaret Lynn was Associate Dean of Music and Director of Studies at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and leads a wide-ranging career as chamber music performer, lecturer and educator.

This versatile ensemble not only performs the great classical masterpieces but less frequently heard gems of the repertoire. An infectious commitment in performance combined with an engaging stage presence has delighted audiences and attracted an enthusiastic following for The Divertimento Piano Trio.

Sample tracks from The Divertimento Piano Trio CD 'Light & Shade'

Mendelssohn - Scherzo from Piano Trio in D minor

Shostakovich - Gavotte from Three Duets

Some Sample Programmes

Celebrating Robert Schumann's bi-centenary and focusing on some of the composers who were closely associated with him
Niels Gade - Novelettes Op 29
Clara Schumann - Piano Trio in G minor Op 17
Robert Schumann - Fantasy Pieces Op 88
Mendelssohn - Piano Trio in D minor Op 49

A concert of strongly contrasting works, highlighting some of the less familiar but highly appealing compositions for the piano trio.
Haydn - Piano Trio in C, H.XV no 27
Lalo - Piano Trio no 1 in C minor Op 7
Schubert – Adagio in E flat, D.897 “Notturno”
Smetana - Piano Trio in G minor Op 15

Lecture Recitals

'Teacher and Pupil'
Haydn - Piano Trio in C Major HXV no 21 and Beethoven - Piano Trio in C minor Op 1 no 3. Both trios date from the early 1790s but there is a world of difference between them. This lecture-recital explores Haydn's contribution to the piano trio genre and Beethoven's ground-breaking Op 1 masterpiece with live musical illustrations. The talk is followed by a concert performance of the works.

'Vienna and the Waltz'
Waltzes have been a fixture in the annual Vienna Philharmonic's New Year Concerts since 1939. This lecture-recital  focuses on the social and musical background to the development of this most fashionable dance in Vienna, and the Divertimento Piano Trio will play pieces by the Strauss family and other Viennese composers such as Schubert, Lanner and Fahrbach Jr.

Light Music Soirees

'Salut D'Amour'
A Selection of music inspired by love, including Bizet's Carmen and Jacob Gade's famous tango Jealousy.

'The Best of British'
Perennial favourites including selections from Gilbert and Sullivan operas, Hubert Parry's Jerusalem and Elgar's Land of Hope and Glory.

The trio also perform programmes of words and music with actors on a variety of subjects.

Educational

The Trio offers pre-concert talks, chamber music coaching, workshops, masterclasses, student composition performances, competition adjudicating.

Trio CD

The Divertimento Piano Trio CD - 'Light and Shade'
is available from enquiries@divertimento.uk.com £10 + £2 postage.

with the following tracks:-

Mendelssohn - Scherzo from Piano Trio in D minor,  Niels Gade - Three Novelettes,  Hubert Davies - Cader Idris,  Frank Bridge - Miniatures,  Elgar - Salut D'Amour,  Shostakovich - Three Duets,  Haydn - Gipsy Rondo,  Clara Schumann  - Allegretto from Piano Trio in G minor Op 17,  Jacob Gade - Jealousy,  Brahms - Hungarian Dance no 5 in G minor. 

"On my latest visit to Sussex I was delighted to attend an evening concert in St. Margaret's Church in Buxted performed by the Divertimento Piano Trio.  From the first lovely notes of Haydn's whimsical Trio in C I knew I was really in for a rare treat.  The trio struck the perfect balance between individual virtuosity and tight ensemble playing. Better still, the program covered a vast and  interesting terrain--Haydn to Smetana via an extraordinary Eduardo Lalo trio I had not heard before with a brief detour into Schubert's intoxicatingly beautiful Notturno!  Throughout, I was perched on the edge of my pew with my eyes closed and ears wide open." Frank Rusco, USA

"… a special artistry … I cannot praise and thank these three wonderful musicians for giving so much pleasure and making their music talk to me." Cynthia Carr - Chairman of All England Dance

'It's always a joy to listen to The Divertimento Piano Trio, these gifted musicians present wonderful concerts, communicating the obvious enjoyment of their approach - making music with good friends. With their attractive and beguiling personalities they have their audiences hooked from the start. Programmes put together with flair and imagination - a choice of music tailored perfectly to any setting. I look forward to hearing the remarkable Divertimento Trio again very soon.'
Peter Sissons - Broadcaster

'The D minor Mendelssohn Op 49 was a real joy with the brilliant piano part coming across in sparkling fashion with the contrasting strings complimenting and balancing every phrase with great skill and sensitivity'
LF Williams - 'Music at St Peter's Canterbury'

Excellent programme...superbly performed...enthusiastic appreciation...we will be inviting you back very soon
Paul Morgan, Organist - Exeter Cathedral Chapter House Concerts

'Three brilliant musicians who take ensemble playing to a level where the whole is far greater than the sum of the three individual parts'
Geoff Woods - Classical Music lecturer

Photographs by Kim Sayer and Justine Navarro