By Carol Kramer
The Kat Trio opened the Richland Concert Association’s 2019-20 season with a delightful program of music that ran the gamut of styles from classical to ragtime — sprinkled with cartoon music, a polka, a march, a jazz ballad, American spiritual and folk music, and more. This talented group impressed the audience with its versatility as it transitioned effortlessly from one musical genre to the next. Their repertoire includes many of their original arrangements and transcriptions of timeless classic tunes.
The Kat Trio is Victoria and Vladislav Gorbich, violin and clarinet, and Joseph Ross, piano. “Kat” is short for Yekaterinburg, Russia, the 1998 birthplace of this unique ensemble. They now reside in Madison, making this engaging group a fortuitously convenient concert choice. The Gorbiches, husband and wife, have been performing together as part of the trio for 20-plus years. Their deep musical and spiritual connection is evident in their impeccable precision and synchronization, picking up on each other’s every musical nuance. The pianist provides the perfect complement with his sensitive and inspired accompaniment, as well as his fine solo passages. The trio’s personalities radiated a warmth to the audience, both through their music and their introduction of each musical selection.
During the program, each member took a turn at a solo performance. Pianist Joseph Ross awed the audience with an exquisite rendition of Debussy’s “Arabesque No. 1.” Violinist Victoria Gorbich played Monti’s “Gypsy Song” with a rich and soulful tone that stirred the rapt audience. Vladislav Gorbich, clarinet, played Van Heusen’s “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” with a warm, dark sound perfectly suited to this smooth jazz ballad. This was in contrast with his earlier performance, which was characterized by a fine crisp, clear clarinet tone. It did not go unnoticed that the Gorbiches played the entire concert from memory!
There are five more concerts in this RCA series. Next up is Greg Zelek, the Overture Center’s young organist, at Trinity United Methodist Church on Oct. 13. Admission for all concerts is $15 for adults and free for UWP-Richland students (with ID) and children 18 and under (with paying adult). There is still plenty of time to get a season ticket of only $50 ($15 for college students). For more information, see RCA’s Facebook page.
Carol Kramer is a Wisconsin native who has lived in Richland Center for more than 20 years. Prior to that, she served 20 years as a saxophonist with the U.S. Army Field Band in Washington, D.C. She is a teacher and performer and maintains a private music and art studio in Richland Center.