The innovative trio performs at the Church of the Intercession, NYC, on 13 January 2020
The musicians who make up Time for Three are extraordinary artists in their own right, masters of their instruments and products of the best conservatoires and training programmes, and their entire performance at The Crypt Sessions this month was spectacular. However, while there are so many things that could be said about their energy, their intensity, and their artistry – what stood out most notably was their ensemble.
The ability of Time for Three (right) to play together impeccably – despite drastically different approaches to bow technique – blows other ensembles out of the water. The connection between them is visceral, intense and unmistakable, and they played extraordinarily well together. ‘Deanna’, their opening song, boasted a beautiful bowed bass sound underlying the incredible talent of Charles Yang, whose ability to sing while playing the violin is just extraordinary. The way all three musicians pull the sound from their instruments in ‘Hide and Seek’, made the work was transportive.
The instrumental interlude in their third number (‘Vertigo’, by Steve Hackman/Stereo Hideout) demonstrated violinist Nick Kendall’s ability to nail every high note with a pure, perfect sound. Bassist Ranaan Meyer used extended techniques extremely effectively in his solo introduction to ‘Banjo Love’, and overall the fun that the three had with this piece was contagious: there was almost tangible joy in their playing. After works that included covers of Leonard Cohen and Jack Johnson, the group finished with signature piece ‘Chaconne in Winter’, which again showcased the musicians’ incredible talent. This remarkable group is not to be missed, and its members play (and sing) with joy, mastery, creativity and supreme artistry in all that they do; truly, no one else is like Time for Three.
LEAH HOLLINGSWORTH
Photos: Kevin Condon
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