Cellist Raphael Wallfisch on Trio Shaham Erez Wallfisch’s Concert

Our classical music season begins Monday 18 September with a performance from three titans of the classical music world, Hagai Shaham ( violin), Arnon Erez (piano) and Raphael Wallfisch (cello), performing as Trio Shaham Erez Wallfisch.

We caught up with cellist Raphael Wallfisch ahead of the concert to ask a bit more about what audiences can expect from the performance.

Can you tell us a bit more how your trio got started?

Hagai and I met playing chamber music at the Prades Festival many years ago , we enjoyed  playing  together, and soon decided that we would join with Hagai’s long time duo partner, Arnon Erez, to form a trio.

(You can read the more about the trio’s full biography here.)

Your programme features quite a range of composers – is there an overarching theme for the concert?

The programme we are playing at Stoller Hall includes two of the greatest piano trios, Beethoven’s Op. 1 No. 3, that Haydn  declared ‘not a piece for the public of the day’ – it being too revolutionary! To this, we add the seldom heard Variations on a Hebrew Melody by the Israeli composer, Paul Ben Haim, and the beautiful movement for piano trio by Grieg.

Is there a particular piece in the programme that you’re most looking forward to, and if so why?

The fantastic trio by Ravel, a total masterpiece, and a tour de force!

If you could describe what you’d like the audience to feel during the concert in three words, what would those three words be?