June 2012

On the Path of Mendelssohn, Hermann Berens' Three String Trios

After Beethoven's Op.9 String Trios for Violin, Viola and Cello, few from the mid Romantic era were composed. For example, neither Schumann nor Mendelssohn tried their hand at them. However, Hermann Berens, a German living in Sweden, who was influenced by them did. His three very worthwhile string trios, discussed below, are all available from Edition Silvertrust.

Unfortunately, there is very little information to be had about Hermann Berens (1826-1880), at least in English. He was born in Hamburg and studied with Carl Reissiger in Dresden. He spent the greater part of his life working in Stockholm. Among his chamber music there are five piano trios, four piano quartets, a string quartet and three string trios, Op.85 Nos.1-3.

All three of the Berens trios show the influence of Mendelssohn and Schumann and must be put toward the front of such works from the middle of the Romantic Movement The opening movement to the trio, Allegro vivace, begins in a stately fashion. Berens builds tension slowly but soon there is a definite sense of drama. The addition of a beautiful and lyrical second heightens the appeal. The second movement, Andante Maestoso, is a Schumannesque funeral march with rich deep sonorities. Pizzicato is also used to telling affect. Berens seemed to have an affinity for moderately slow movements. A charming minuet, Allegro non troppo, is comes next. There is a chirpy, up-dated Mozartian feel with a contrasting trio of slightly darker hue.  The main subject to the Rondo-finale, Allegro non troppo, is graceful and elegant. Fast downward-plunging and upward-rocketing, which appear later, create a great sense of excitement and are used again in the thrilling conclusion to the work.

String Trio No.2, Op.85 No.2 is the only one of the three trios composed in the minor. The opening, Allegro agitato, to Op.85 No.2 in c minor is superb. Filled from the first notes with emotional tension the composer is able to deliver on the captivating first subject. The string writing throughout this big, exciting movement is masterful. Especially noteworthy is the soft Mendelssohnian ending, reminiscent of the Hebrides Overture. This is followed up by a lovely, primarily pastoral Andante con moto. This is also a very effective movement which is not really slow although there is a kind of drag to it. The third movement, Allegro patetico, is full of forceful forward propulsion. The naive trio, provides a striking contrast and features a sweet country dance melody. The exciting finale, Allegro vivace, is sure to please any audience which gets the chance to hear it.

String Trio No.3 might well have been called Grand Trio for it is truly written on a large scale. The opening, Allegro, is a huge movement brimming with ideas which Berens effectively presents. It begins quietly, almost like a pastoral. As the first theme is developed, momentum is gradually added. By the time the theme is fully elaborated, things are really moving along. A second theme has a whimsical feel. This in turn leads to a lyrical melody, given in turn to each voice and played against an effective pulsating accompaniment. If this were not enough, suddenly a brief but wild, turbulent episode, which gives the feel of the sea bursts forth. When the storm clouds clear, an uplifting chorale is sung against a quiet pizzicato accompaniment. The poignant second movement, Andante, has a heavy, solemn dirge-like air. The mood of the Halloween-like  Allegro scherzando which follows could not be more different. It is a nervous, fidgety scherzo rushing here and there. The slower and lyrical trio section provides fine contrast. The finale, Allegro e con brio, wastes no time getting going. It explodes out of the starting gate full of energy. But just as it gets going, Berens surprises by toning it down, only to build things back very gradually.

In conclusion, enthusiasts should not miss the pleasure of playing these fine works which will also be quite suitable for the concert hall. Edition Silvertrust publishes all three which can be purchased on this website and you may also hear lengthy soundbites from each work.