The Triple Concerto

The Triple Concerto was performed on October 31st, 1995 in Berlin, Germany. The concert was performed by the three majestic musical artists, Daniel Barenboim (piano), Itzhak Perlman (violin), and Yo-Yo Man (violoncello). The composition of the concerto for violin, cello, and piano was composed by the world-class known Ludwig Van Beethoven between 1804 and 1805. The composition was released in 1808 in the Augusten Summer Concert in Vienna. The Triple Concerto was Beethoven’s 56th Opus.
The concert began with the three outstanding trios entering the orchestra accompanied by the audience that had arrived in crowds. The Berlin Philharmonie Orchestra auditorium was fully packed as many attended the concert to witness the beautiful performance of the piece. After settling down, Daniel Barenboim the pianist, also the conductor, began conducting the performance. The composition incorporated a variety of aerophones, chordophones, and membranophones. The performance was divided into three movements which were largo, Allegro, and the Rondo Alla polacca. The three pieces consisted of a marched tempo with occasional solo passages by the three musical giants which could be identified individually. The cello entered solo as the first movement. It is quiet and gradually rises. A slow movement entered, A-flat major, which was the introduction of the finale which followed without pausing. The bolero-like rhythm was heard which the final movement was.

The Triple Concerto is classical and formal in style and reserved in manner.

It is spacious and rich in themes. The themes seized the attention of the audience forcefully. The first theme is played by cellos and basses alone. The theme rises stepwise every two measures and has prominent dotted rhythms. The second theme is lyrical and assertive. The two themes seem to relate to each other. The meter for the concerto is played is fast-slow-fast movement in each rhythmic succession. Although the music begins with an upbeat the tempo is changed contrary to the audience’s anticipation of a three-beat movement. The unique melody of the concerto is breathtaking and unique. The sounds produced to create a consonance harmony that brings sweetness to the entire experience. However, the simultaneous interplay of note c and d in the second theme gives the concerto a dissonance harmony. The concerto’s texture is monophonic from the beginning but as it progresses there develops multiple melodies that are independent and stands out as the melody is heard from the background.

The performance was a spectacular rendition. The Triple Concerto of Symphonia as the three majestic artists had excelled cooperation and rhythm. The performance created a perfect wave of emotions that could be felt through the crowd. The beauty of the composition could be felt within the soul and it created perfect inner peace while listening to the masterpiece. Daniel Barenboim displayed monumental perfection as he conducted and played the piano. This was particularly a challenge as he was expected to coordinate both of his roles. Yo-Yo Man presented his outstanding skills in playing the Strad that apparently was also played by the renowned Jacqueline du Pré, the cellist. It must have been an honor for Yo-Yo Man. Itzhak Perlman was no exception as he incorporated the violin beautifully in connection with the other instruments. It was indeed an extraordinary masterpiece.

The Triple Concerto was indeed perfectly performed although at a certain segment Yo-Yo Man and Daniel seemed to have lost direction but immediately corrected themselves and synchronized graciously. Critics argue that the Triple Concerto was not as good as Beethoven’s other compositions. The argument that the composition is tiresome to both the listener and the player. Other performances of the piece have also displayed Beethoven’s excellence in the composition of the Triple Concerto but however, the other performances do not compare to the performance by Perlman, YoYo Man, and Barenboim. A difference can be noticed as the trio as experienced and masters of their instruments hence together they created an explosion of perfection. However, this piece was wonderfully performed and composed.

References
Beethoven (1995) – Triple Concierto y Fantasía Coral. Yo-Yo Ma, Perlman, Barenboim. Published on Jan 18, 2014, El Jardín de Epicuro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kYJZoDrFeQ
Plantinga, L. (1999). Beethoven’s Concertos: history, style, performance (Vol. 1). WW Norton & Company.