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The Ardora Trio presents Drama in D Minor: Arensky and Mendelssohn. Please join us for this free admission (donations accepted) concert in the sanctuary at North Raleigh United Methodist Church on Sun., May 4, at 4pm.
D Minor is a key many composers have used to evoke strong emotional resonance, whether expressing sorrow, longing, or dramatic intensity. Many iconic compositions are written in this key, including Mozart’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and Bach’s Toccata and Fugue. This concert features two very beautiful and dramatic Romantic era D Minor piano trios, one by Arensky and the other by Mendelssohn.
Anton Arensky's Piano Trio No. 1 carries deep emotional intensity. This work was dedicated to the memory of cellist Karl Davidoff, and the mournful tone is most evident in its elegiac third movement. With sweeping melodies and lush harmonies, the trio captures both introspection and dramatic fervor, showcasing Arensky's Russian Romanticism.
Mendelssohn's first piano trio is one of the most celebrated chamber works of the Romantic repertoire. The opening movement sets a turbulent yet lyrical mood, followed by a tender Song Without Words Andante, scherzo filled with Mendelssohn's characteristic lightness, and a finale with spirited energy. This trio is an enduring masterpiece that combines technical brilliance with heartfelt passion.
The Ardora Trio features violinist Jessica Ryou,cellist Sean Hawthorne, and pianist Jean Park. Jessica Ryou is a member of the first violin section of the North Carolina Symphony. She has her Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music and her Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California. Sean Hawthorne is an active performing cellist and educator who most recently served as Assistant Professor of Cello at East Tennessee State University. Sean received his Doctor of Musical Arts from Stony Brook University in 2018, after having earned a Bachelor’s Degree from The Juilliard School and a Master’s Degree from the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague. Jean Park is currently a member of the piano faculty at Duke University and Meredith College. She received her Master of Music from Manhattan School of Music and her Doctor of Musical Arts from Stony Brook University.