Family brings ‘Triple Concerto’ to Vancouver

It’s rare that Beethoven’s “Triple Concerto” is performed, because it requires three soloists who can work as a tight ensemble and collaborate together with an orchestra.

It is rarer still when the three soloists happen to be related to each other. Yet that’s the case when three members of the Friedhoff clan take the stage to play Beethoven’s unusual concerto with the Vancouver Symphony this weekend.

Violinist Jolán Friedhoff, cellist Mark Friedhoff, and pianist Isaac Friedhoff make up the trio that will occupy most of the real estate in front of the orchestra. Jolán and Mark are brother and sister, and Isaac is Mark’s son.

“When we played the ‘Triple Concerto’ for the first time, we got mistaken for a married couple with Isaac as our son,” remarked Jolán. “That was pretty funny!”

To top that off, Isaac and two of his cousins have received degrees from the University of Indiana’s school of music. That makes seven Friedhoffs who have graduated from UI.

So the upcoming performance of the “Triple Concerto” marks a reunion of sorts for part of the Friedhoff clan. They have rendezvoused at the family home in Portland to pack in as much rehearsal time as possible.

“One of the problematic things about the ‘Triple Concerto’ is that all of the soloists often play the same line,” said Isaac. “You have to have a solid ensemble, because Beethoven throws in the orchestra, and that can cause everything to fall apart very easily. I think that it did fall apart in the premiere. Also, because of the way we line up at the front of the stage, I have to have my back to the other soloists. So I have to turn around to get cues from the violinist.”

The “Triple Concerto” is noted for a rumor that Beethoven wrote it for Anton Kraft, one of the very best cellists of that time. The virtuosity required caused some critics to dub it “Beethoven’s Cello Concerto.”

“The violin part is not as difficult as the cello part,” confirmed Jolán. “Beethoven wrote the cello up in the same register as the violin for much of the piece. The cellist is the hero of the concerto. The cellist that I normally play with told me that she wouldn’t go near that piece!”

When asked if he is ready to be the star of the performance, Mark responded with a laugh. “Beethoven is the star,” he said. “His “Triple Concerto” is an exhilarating piece that is incredibly well put together.”

Also on the concert program is Beethoven’s “Seventh Symphony,” which is dotted with inventive, integrated themes and considered one of the most joyful works that Beethoven wrote. It was premiered in 1813 and paired with the boisterous “Wellington’s Victory,” which celebrated England’s victory over Napoleon. Much to Beethoven’s chagrin, the audience, though approving of the “Seventh,” went bananas for “Wellington’s Victory.” Over time, however, the “Seventh” has entered the pantheon of great symphonic works while “Wellington’s Victory” has faded into obscurity.

The concert will kick off with Samuel Barber’s “Second Essay for Orchestra,” which he wrote in 1942 shortly before joining the Army Air Corps. In one movement, this piece covers a lot of ground, moving from a theme that is scattered among the woodwinds to a second, more urgent theme that is embraced by the entire orchestra before ending in a broader, expansive finale that is triumphant and stately.

So if the weather turns dark and dreary, this concert, with three sunny orchestral pieces, should be the perfect tonic. Bottoms up!