Sparkling showcase in mini Schubert festival

Soon after the Ding Yi Chinese Chamber Music Festival came another mini festival, this time for Western instruments by Chamber Music And Arts Singapore, curated by Singaporean violinist Tang Tee Khoon.

- Chang Tou Liang

Its focus was on Austrian composer Franz Schubert (1797-1828) and the year 1824. Three repertoire works from that annus mirabilis were heard over two evenings.

Schubert's Sonata In A Minor (D. 821), popularly known as the Arpeggione Sonata, was originally written for the arpeggione, an obsolete bowed instrument with frets. Now commonly heard on cello, the first evening's performance came instead from the viola, helmed by American violist Julianne Lee with Singapore-based American pianist Ning An.

Cello or viola, the music was equally beautiful, intimated by Lee's rich and warm tone. Its lyrical lines were gorgeously voiced and her intonation impeccable. Every bit an equal partner was An's crisp and unflappable pianism, which never sought to dominate, instead making the music sing through three congenial movements.