PERFORMERS
- Guillermo Laporta, flute
- Josefina Urraca, piano
- Matthew Cohen, viola
ABOUT THE CONCERT
Tatiana Nikolayeva (1924–1993) is best remembered as one of the great Soviet pianists—a celebrated Bach interpreter whose playing inspired Shostakovich's 24 Preludes and Fugues—but she was also a prolific composer. Her Trio, Op. 18, scored for the unusual combination of flute, viola and piano, reveals this second creative life. Cast in several contrasting movements—among them a flowing Prelude, a quicksilver Scherzo and a searching, song-like Monologue—the work marries the lyricism and contrapuntal clarity of her Bach lineage with a warm, distinctly Russian expressive palette. The blend of flute brightness, viola warmth and piano resonance gives the Trio a chamber intimacy that has kept it a rewarding rarity in the repertoire.