Canada’s foremost musical triad, the celebrated Gryphon Trio, opened the 13th annual Scotiabank Northern Lights Music Festival in great style with its dynamic “Love Triangle” concert at the Auditorio de la Ribera on Monday.
“The presence of such sought-after musicians is testament to how far this festival has come,” Festival Artistic Director Christopher Wilshere pointed out while introducing the trio.
Formed in 1993 and based in Toronto, the Gryphon Trio regularly tours throughout North America and Europe. With master classes at schools and universities across North America, the Gryphon Trio members are also artists-in-residence at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, where Dr. Jamie Parker is the Rupert E. Edwards Chair in Piano Performance and violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon is an Assistant Professor. 
Parker and Patipatnakoon are also artistic advisors to the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, where cellist Roman Borys is Artistic Director. Borys was in Graz, Austria earlier this month, sitting on the jury of the ninth International Chamber Music Competition Franz Schubert and Modern Music involving some 400 musicians from 48 countries.
The concert began with Haydn’s “Piano Trio No. 44 in E Major” written in 1797. The first movement, Allegro Moderato, is led by the piano. Parker’s incredibly light and rapid touch is exceptional, as it carries the cheerful melody, accompanied by extended pizzicati from the violin and cello until, just before the end they finally take up the main theme.
By contrast the Allegretto is a dark and pensive precursor to the ainale, Allegro’s light, almost carefree opening. After a stirring midsection, it beautifully transitions to the original melody. It was outstanding.
Parker introduced “Love Triangle,” explaining that it had been written for the Gryphon Trio by Sri-Lankan born composer, pianist and conductor Dinuk Wijeratne, whose work is known for its non-Western influences. Its world premier was in August 2014.
The Middle Eastern flavor of “Love Triangle” is apparent from the start. Discordant, lively and strong, it builds to an exciting segment played by the cello and piano, before the piano takes over the demanding, dissonant theme, concluding with a cacophonous crash, after which the melody returns. This piece was incredible to hear and even more amazing to watch, given the speed of flying bows and fingers.
After intermission Schubert’s “1828 Piano Trio in B flat Major Op.99” began with Allegro moderato with its moving cello melody, followed by the very smooth and sad Andante un poco mosso. Scherzo. Allegro is very fast with pizzicato strings followed by the cheeky and lively Rondo. Allegro vivace.
The inevitable standing ovation elicited an encore, “Spring” – “the only thing we’re thinking about in Canada right now,” Parker noted with a smile.
The Gryphon’s performance and exquisite musicianship was absolutely superb. What an unforgettable experience!
During the festival on Monday, February 23, The Gryphons will perform Antonín Dvořák’s six-movement Op.90 Trio, “Dumky.”