Classical performance trio gets standing ovation in Ice Auditorium

Lance Evans, Writer

The classics were brought to life in Ice Auditorium on Oct 17. The Hermitage Piano Trio, composed of violinist Misha Keylin, cellist Sergey Antonov, and pianist Ilya Kazantsev, gave a stunning performance that left the crowd on their feet.

Keylin, who grew up in St. Petersburg, said, “Classical still plays a large part in cultural upbringing.” Being raised under a musical household, Keylin was filled with a deep appreciation for classical, and wishes to keep the love for it alive within the new generation.

The trio, averaging about 25 concerts a year, has been performing around the world for 7 years, and played all over Europe and North America. Antonov and Kazantsev met when they were in second grade while living in Moscow and grew together with their love of music. Keylin completed the group after being introduced to Antonov. They have been traveling together ever since, only stopping periodically to work on solo projects.

The trio displayed wonderful chemistry on stage. The transitions from slower, longer notes to sharp, accented one’s were never out of sync, and they constantly made eye contact in order to keep a steady flow going. The deep cello sound and the melodic violin complimented each other perfectly next to Kazantsev’s cascading piano work, and each stroke of the bow or finger on the key was filled with power and emotion.

The first piece, “Trio Pathetique in D Minor” by Glinka, was a charging intro, with staccato elements from the piano and stunning solos from the strings. It felt as though the cello and violin were battling; the way they transitioned back and forth. Second came the “Piano Trio No. 3 in C minor” by Brahms, which had much more of a flow to it, and none of the instruments really stood out during their playing. It was a very well balanced piece. The third piece, “Piano Trio in F minor” by Dvorák, started out with a surprise. The tempo the strings were being played at seemed to be barreling, but once the piano came in with a slower speed it sounded out of sync, and yet as the piece unfolded it came together, culminating in a grand finale. As an encore, they performed “April” from Tchaikovsky’s “Seasons,” which ended in a standing ovation.

Having such a talented group perform can help people recognize and appreciate the mass amounts of skill and dedication it takes to master an instrument, especially the focus it takes to keep from messing up while staying in sync with one’s group. Even though less people are listening to classical, the form will never die as people still take instrument classes in school and keep the finest orchestral pieces playing.