The Chamber Music News-A Blog

Welcome to our Blog, The Chamber Music News! Our online publication presents interesting articles about the music we publish, in more detail than you will find on the individual page. We hope that you will enjoy it, let us know. And, if you would like to see an article about a particular subject (related to what we publish) send us an email at editionsilvertrust@gmail.com

July 2023--September 2023

Frank Bridge's Nine Miniatures for Piano Trios

Archive

Frank Bridge (1879-1941) was born in Sussex, He learned to play violin from his father, and had much early exposure to practical musicianship, playing in theatre orchestras his father conducted. He studied violin and composition, the latter from Charles Stanford, at the Royal College of Music. He later played viola in prominent quartets and was a respected conductor. When Frank Bridge�s chamber music first appeared, it was a revelation to amateurs as well as professional players. Interestingly, the revival in interest in Bridge�s music which took place during the last part of the 20th Century has concerned itself exclusively with his more �radical� works, dating from 1924 onwards. Ironically, these works did nothing to create or further enhance the firm reputation he had established with both professionals and amateurs. Rather, it was works just like the Miniatures for Piano Trio and several other early works which contributed to his success.

Bridge composed during the first decade of the 20th Century. Because these works were written for one of his violin students, Betty Hanbury, and her sister Rachel who studied the cello, these works have been written-off as �student works.� (See, for example, Cobbett who dismissively adds an addendum to the article on Bridge in the Cyclopedia) But there is a difference between works written for students and student works and it can be said with certainty that the Miniatures are not the latter. While no one is likely to argue that these are extraordinary masterworks, on the other hand, they ought not to be dismissed as inconsequential student works suitable for neither amateur nor professional. To the contrary, any one of these tonally diverse and brilliantly written cameos would serve as a superb encore for a professional piano trio while amateurs will spend many a happy hour with these delightful works. As Cobbett wrote, �When Frank Bridge�s chamber music first appeared, it was a revelation to amateurs as well as professional players��

Published in sets of 3, the first appeared in 1908. These pieces are the simplest but nonetheless charming. No.1, an updated Minuet, is child-like in its simplicity yet elegant. It has a lyrical trio section. No.2 Gavotte begins with a jaunty theme in the violin taken up by all later. A very short, chromatic and contrasting middle section follows. The third of the set, Allegretto in 2/4, is perhaps the most interesting with a spirited and quite English sounding melody. There is a lovely pizzicato ending. Although these three pieces are quite easy, and could be managed technically by any beginning intermediate player, the writing is on a level which makes the music suitable for public performance by professionals who wish to perform beautiful light music with a minimum of rehearsal time.

The second set appeared in 1910. While the technical demands placed on the string players are hardly extraordinary, nonetheless, these are no longer easy pieces. No.4, Romance, is somewhat longer than the others and has some rather forward tonality in parts with considerable emotion. No.5, Intermezzo, is a rhythmically tricky little tour de force with the voices chasing each other about. No.6, Saltarello, certainly requires nimble fingers from all players in a bright modern version of the classic Italian format.

The last set appeared in 1915. Each one is a gem. No.7, Valse Russe, is a slow, sad waltz with lovely string solos and duets. The cello writing is particularly effective. No.8, Hornpipe, is a modern, snappy sailor�s ditty with the word �encore� written all over it. It has great part writing. No.9, Marche Militaire, sounds Elgarian and Edwardian. Stirring music that might have been heard on a WWI patriotic newsreel.

You can hear substantial soundbites and order these miniatures by clicking on these links:

https://www.editionsilvertrust.com/bridge-miniatures-(1-3).htm

https://www.editionsilvertrust.com/bridge-miniatures-(4-6).htm

https://www.editionsilvertrust.com/bridge-miniatures-(7-9).htm

String Qts Dedicated to Haydn-Part 1---March 2012

String Qts Dedicated to Haydn-Part 2---April 2012

3 New Beethoven Quartets?---May 2012

Hermann Berens String Trios---June 2012

2nd Movt Bruckner Str Qnt too hard---July 2012

Arriaga The Spanish Mozart---August 2012

Johan Wikmanson's String Quartets---Sept 2012

Dubois' Piano Trios---October 2012