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Trio Relikt VIP Concert Rumours, FringeHUB Feb 22 - 27 Scott Theatre Mar 1 - 7 Dressed in white shirts, grey slacks and black patent shoes, three men walk quietly on stage. Two nylon string guitars are the sole accompaniment, but from the moment they open their mouths, you wonder if they require even those. Tenors Alexandr Nikerov and Aleksey Kondratov with baritone Vyacheslav Mayunov have been singing together since 1986, and their familiarity with each other and their material makes for one of the most gratifying vocal performances you are likely to hear at this Fringe. The trio opened with Bright Is The Night, stilling the audience immediately with the beauty and clarity of their voices. But it was the second song It Is Not Evening, Not Evening, that brought on the goose bumps. Delicate counterpoints, soaring harmonies - I wanted to leave right then, to carry the memory of that sound with me. But they did not disappoint. From the a capella The Lonely Coach Bells Rings to Schubert's Serenade, the trio moved seemingly effortlessly through their set, occasionally pausing to introduce a song in Russian. While this was translated (albeit not terribly well), it became unnecessary very quickly. Those who do not understand a word of Russian will not fail to be moved by the passion of these singers; whether they're performing a rollicking folk song about a chap who can't figure out to dress properly (From Behind The Forest From Behind The Mountain), the pathos of Katyusha, or the familiar swing of Moscow Nights, music is the only language required. If there was any thought that these harmonies and voices only work well in a Russian context, this was dispelled with an awesome English language rendition of Lennon/McCartney's Yesterday; oh Boyzone, where is thy sting? Back to Russian, and the audience joined in a boisterous version of Those Were The Days. Would Paul McCartney be pleased that the song he wrote for his then protegee Mary Hopkin has become a classic drinking refrain in taverns across the world? Still, the way it was performed here you could be forgiven for thinking that it was a traditional Russian song. If you have any interest, even a passing one, in the voice as instrument, go to Trio Relikt. Folk songs, ballads, classical, popular; it's all here and very, very well done. Note to Rob Brookman: pop up and have a look, I'm sure they'd love to come back for WOMAD.  |
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