provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Sanibel Music Festival finished its 2026 season with something a little out of the ordinary…” a star-studded performance,” says board member David Conrad, with the renowned pianist, Ana Polonsky, paired with cellist, Peter Wiley, and Clarinetist, David Shifrin. All are seasoned veterans in their own right.
The Trio, all of whom hail from the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, PA ,charmed the audience at UCC Church Sanibel on the evening of March 24
The Beethoven Piano Trio in B-flat major, Opus 11, is usually heard with the violin playing the treble portion. The clarinetist joked with the audience that Beethoven preferred the clarinet to the violin in this work, but that the violin later tried to usurp the clarinet. Anna Polonsky’s virtuosity shone through in the final movement of the Beethoven. The woody tones of the clarinet provided a resonant layer to the treble notes…says Deborah Larson, co-President of Sanibel Music Festival .
“The Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano by Nino Rota (1911-1979) was a playful number in its third movement and is heard in many Fellini films. The more contemporary aspects of this composition were quite apparent,” says Larson.
“Following intermission, the trio took on the Brahms Trio in A Minor, Op 114, the piece, as described by clarinetist, David Shifrin, as the “quintessential clarinet trio in all the literature.” Polomsky, Shifrin, and Wiley form a cohesive unit with continual dialogue revealing deep friendships, a flawless and exciting performance,” says Conrad.
After a standing ovation, the Trio offered a light and happy encore of a famous minuet by Beethoven.
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