Musica Viva Australia

For anyone who hasn’t seen inside, allow the scene to be set. The Adelaide Town Hall Auditorium is a stunning display of ornate ceilings, marble columns, and a pipe organ on display which serves as the perfect backdrop for performers such as Trio Isimsiz. Turkish for ‘trio without a name’, Trio Isimsiz formed in 2009, have performed widely; been broadcast by BBC Radio in Europe; and have won countless prizes and accolades. The trio have been successful together and individually, with their adoration for their craft seeping from every note they play.

Introductions were not initially needed. The three men took to the stage, bowed to the audience, and sat with their instruments: they were simultaneously cool, calm, and collected while almost vibrating with excitement to begin their performance. With the barest of nods between them, the audience was transported away.

The cellist, Edvard Pogossian, spoke a few words after they had completed the first piece. He named the three pieces they had, and would, perform, and spoke a little about the newest piece by Francisco Coll, written in 2020. Pianist Erdem Mısırlıoğlu and violinist Pablo Hernán Benedí declined to add anything further, their fingers already twitching towards their instruments.

Each piece which was performed was written by a different composer, and each piece guides the audience through a different journey. We began with an energetic piece by Johannes Brahms (Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 101), before being led into the curious Piano Trio by Francisco Coll. To finish the night, we were treated to the lively story by Franz Schubert (Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat major, D898).

If you are unfamiliar with classical music, each piece (specifically for this performance, at least) lasts between 18 and 42 minutes. Do not be fooled when the music dips; it is not yet time to applaud, because the music is changing its tune (no pun intended) into the next movement. But you are never bored! The music ebbs and flows with ease, creating a visceral and immersive experience; each piece bringing forth fresh sounds and imagery, creating a similar, almost ethereal sense you can experience when looking through a kaleidoscope.

The second piece, by Francisco Coll, at the time of this writing, has only been performed for Australian audiences twice; once in Perth, and once in Adelaide. It was commissioned for Trio Isimsiz, after a conversation between their violinist and the composer, and was first performed in January of 2022. The program goes into further details about the piece, the composer, and the Trio, and is well worth the read.

The three performers play with a passion, care, and love for their craft which was tangible even from the dress circle. It was a delight to watch them perform, and an honour to be a part of the second Australian audience to experience Coll’s piece.

If you don’t consider yourself a fan of classical music, this show is still worth checking out. The music is a new experience and a new appreciation for music in general … and with three good-looking boys playing so passionately, there are no downsides!

To book tickets to Trio Isimsiz (Musica Viva Australia), please visit https://www.musicaviva.com.au/concert-season/2025/trio-isimsiz/.

Photographer: Dylan Alcock

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