Divertimento Piano Trio


November 2018

It is impossible to imagine a more engaging performance than yours for the Clevedon Music Club. Thank you for your superb music-making. Dare we hope that you might come again one day?

Andrea Argent

I’ve recently enjoyed the Divertimento Piano Trio for a fortnight on a Cruise Ship. Undaunted by extraneous noises, announcements from the Bridge, and the dry acoustic of a ship’s lounge, their fluency, polish and professionalism was exceptional – their audiences responded with great enthusiasm.

The Trio has a happy knack of gauging their choice of repertoire to the occasion. From familiar mainstream trios by Mozart, Brahms… through ‘themed’ programmes on ‘Love’, The British Isles, ‘Rhythm of Dance…. and worthwhile ‘discoveries’ such as Ethel Smyth and Piazzolla, to sheer fun and some spectacular virtuosity, they delighted both connoisseurs and newcomers to their music.

Professor George Pratt

Review of a Concert at the Military Club, Macau, China. January 2014.

I was fortunate to have been invited to this concert given in the lounge of the Macau Military Club, an almost ideal venue for chamber music.  From the very opening bars the Divertimento Trio proved to be no ordinary ensemble, revelling in the possibilities of this the most wonderful combination of instruments.

The programme comprised two substantial piano trios of the Classical period, the first in G Major by Hummel and the second in D Minor by Mendelssohn; in between was a delightful ‘lollipop’ from the less well known Spanish composer Tomás Bretón.  The works chosen created a perfectly balanced programme for an early evening concert presented without an interval.

Both the Hummel and Mendelssohn trios were played with the flair, delicacy and technical assurance necessary for works of the period and in the two Spanish dances of Tomás Bretón we were whisked away from Northern Europe to more passionate climes full of the sounds of the guitar and Flamenco.  Ample evidence of an extraordinary rapport between the players obviously communicated itself to the audience who sat listening with rapt attention throughout the concert.

 

Richard Gamlen - Ex Manager of Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

“You are to be congratulated on a coruscating performance, and on your powers of artistic communication across generations – ranging over eight year-olds to octogenarians.”

 

Prof. Kevin Thompson OBE, Officier Arts et des Lettres, FRSE.

The Divertimento Trio gave a stunning performance at St Peter’s Canterbury in November 2014. The programme consisted of music rarely played, which gathered momentum as the concert progressed, leading to a grand, romantic climax in Gretchaninov’s Piano Trio. This extremely technically difficult work was played with a beautiful intense sound, gripping the audience throughout. A very memorable concert.

Jean Philips ARCM

The Divertimento Trio worked with me on countless occasions during my time as Cruise Director with Saga Cruises which spanned more than eight years. Throughout all this time I found them to be incredibly passionate in their chosen field, flexible in their work approach and with the enviable ability to bring all types of classical music to life for a variety of different audiences, both in a concert and cabaret environment.

Tanya Whitehurst, Cruise Director, Saga ships.

“… 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

‘Once again we have to thank you for a fabulous afternoon of music, and such fun too!  The closeness between the three of you in the trio is reflected in the music you create – you play as one.  We shall hold the memory of the afternoon in the wonderful surroundings of Sharpham for a long time.’

‘Just to let you know how very much we enjoyed the music on Sunday.  It was the perfect way to brighten up a wet and windy afternoon.’

‘Thank you ladies for such a beautiful concert this afternoon at Sharpham House. You were truly stupendous. What a wonderful program. It was an absolute joy to hear you. I loved the background info you gave before each piece. And the poems.’

 

From members of the audience at Sharpham House near Totnes

“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

“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

“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

“The choice of ending on Chopin ’s G minor trio proved a master touch. Beautifully crafted and not surprisingly making great demands on the pianist in particular, this fine performance made a strong case for the work’s greater popularity, and provided a truly fitting conclusion to such an eminently tuneful and thoroughly enjoyable recital.”

Philip Buttall, Music Critic in The Herald

“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