Toad Lane Concerts: The Ryebank Trio

The Ryebank Trio

The Ryebank Trio paid a visit to St Mary's on Wednesday 19 January 2022 to perform at the latest Toad Lane concert.

Originally formed in 2003, and winners of the “Best Small Ensemble” award at the Buxton Festival Fringe in 2011, the Ryebank Trio is a fine Northwest chamber group. It is named, rather prosaically, from the street address of their rehearsal venue.

Jonathan Ellis (piano) is a graduate, postgraduate and multiple prize winner from the RNCM and Manchester University, who currently works around the NW as soloist, accompanist, repetiteur, and chamber musician.

Duncan Reid (violin) is also a graduate of the RNCM and Manchester University, where he and Jonathan met in 1996. He is a busy player in orchestras, as well as guest leading various touring ensembles and teaches at various schools.

Reyan Murtadha (cello) is the newest member of the trio, this being her second concert. She is also a graduate of the RNCM with a master’s and is now freelancing as well as teaching, both privately and for the Cheshire School of Music.

The programme consisted of only one piece - Tchaikovsky’s monumental Piano Trio in A minor opus 50. However, this is a composer’s smorgasbord of varied piano forms and styles such that you might find separately in a whole concert, united by a common theme or thread. Written in memory of a deceased mentor it has huge passionate heights with hints of tragedy and requiring vast concentration and stamina, which was superbly handled by these exceptional players.

The middle section consists of theme and 11 variations: Polonaise, Scherzo, Dirge, Music Box, Waltz, March, Fugue, Lament, Mazurka and Lullaby, with Final Variation and Coda.

The cumulative power is phenomenal as the theme permeates, and applause must wait until the end.

The magnificent church acoustic allowed the solo string players to hold their own against the grand piano and all three musketeers to build to fantastic peaks – all for one and one for all!

An uplifting and memorable midday at St Mary in the Baum.

The award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available at the moment, but the venue is Covid-19 compliant. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

Dr Joe Dawson