TITYRE - a flute trio - at St Mary's Chieveley Friday 14th December 2001

Concertgoers of Chieveley were treated last Friday to an evening of music for the unusual genre of the flute trio. It must be rare for three such accomplished flautists to perform together and be able to produce a programme with variety and interest. David Wirdnam, Natasha Durham and Joanna Price have been playing together as "Tityre" for only a few months, but their interaction and communication with each other and their audience are compelling. The members of the group chatted with the audience between pieces and set the context for the music by some lesser-known composers.
The programme began with the three movements of "Trio Brilliant" by Kummer and the title would be an apt description for the group. The short catchy melodies were tossed seamlessly between the flutes with ease and the final Vivace paced superbly. A short "Minuet and Trio" by Kuhlau followed and lead into evocative scenes painted by Damase in his "Suite Pastorale". The timbres and textures in all registers of the instruments conjured up the rural atmosphere intended by the composer and perfect for the setting of a Berkshire village church. The first half ended with a light-hearted and very "Drunken Sailor".
The prolific French composer Boismortier wrote many pieces for flute ensembles and Tityre chose four pieces to form a suite and start the second half, demonstrating the pleasant accessibility of 18th century French flute music. This contrasted starkly with the "Flute Trio" by Russian Alexandre Tchérépnine, which is full of oriental harmonies and dissonance. Again the range of timbres available on the flute was demonstrated with bamboo-like sounds in the hauntingly beautiful Reverie before the final rhythmic Dance. This was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening and a part of the flute repertoire rarely heard.
The flute trio repertoire has to contain some lighter pieces arranged for the ensemble and the evening rounded off in a thoroughly entertaining manner with Mozart's "Overture to Figaro" and an encore of "A Christmas Melody".
There was a retiring collection, which despite a relatively small audience raised £150 for St Mary's Church Funds.
This trio is worth hearing, but opportunities may be rare as Natasha is studying for her A levels at Kennet School and both David and Joanna work as flute specialists with the Berkshire Young Musicians' Trust. It would be good to see local talent such as this given platform at the Newbury Spring Festival, but they are also seeking to perform for weddings, receptions and functions - it would enhance and bring a new and varied entertainment to any evening.