November / December 2012

Some Lesser Known Trios for Clarinet, Cello and Piano

Beethoven’s Op.11 and Brahms’ Op. 114 are probably the best known works from this little heard genre. As Beethoven and Brahms hardly qualify for the sobriquet of “lesser-known” there is no need to discuss their trios except to note that it is impossible to escape the fact that Brahms' trio resulted in a spate of outstanding works from the same era or a few years thereafter.

Certainly one of the very best from the lesser known works for this combination is that of WILHELM BERGER (1861-1911), his trio in g minor, Op.94. Born in Boston, but brought back to Germany the following year, Berger studied in Berlin under Friedrich Kiel. Berger was a truly first rate composer, clearly influenced by Brahms, but with original, inventive and effective ideas of his own.

Another first class Brahmsian work is the Op.3 Trio in d minor by ALEXANDER VON ZEMLINSKY (1872-1942)  Zemlinsky belongs to the Vienna circle of Arnold Schönberg who became his brother-in-law. Like Schönberg, Zemlinsky was, early on, primarily influenced by Mahler. Composed in 1896, the Trio is in three movements. This is a very mature work for an Op.3, to be sure. The part writing is excellent, with none of the instruments dominating at the expense of the others.

Another Brahmsian work, and first rate as well, is the 1906 Trio in g minor, Op.45 by ROBERT KAHN (1865-1951). Brahms had offered to teach Kahn but Kahn was too intimidated to accept. Nonetheless, the work sounds as if he did in fact have lessons from Brahms. But make no mistake, this is no mere imitation and on the whole is fresh and original sounding.

Yet another marvelous work from this period is the Op.40 Trio in a minor by the undeservedly ignored Viennese CARL FRÜHLING composed around 1900. This recently rediscovered work is quintessentially late romantic without slavishly imitating Brahms. The writing is first rate and the melodies are appealing. A little gem.

From an entirely different era (1805-1808) we have the Op.28 Trio in B flat Major by FERDINAND RIES (1784-1838) arguably Beethoven’s most accomplished composition student. Ries, primarily studied piano performance with Beethoven and was well-known during his lifetime as a virtuoso on this instrument. This is an important point, because the piano part can be challenging in relation to the other voices.

The Op.36 Grand Trio of ANTON EBERL (1765-1807), a day student and very good friend of Mozart’s, dates from exactly the same period. Eberl's writing not only sounded like that of Mozart, but virtually everyone, included his publishers and the critics often refused to accept that his works were not actually by Mozart and not him. The Trio is written in concertante style. Eberl knows how to write for the combination, and does so effectively. The melodies are well-wrought. In the idiom of the Vienna Classics, had either Mozart or Haydn’s name appeared on this manuscript, the work would be better known.

Another fine work is the Trio in B flat Major, Op.23 from 1856 by the Frenchman ADOLPHE BLANC. Blanc spent much of his professional career as a performer of chamber music and he knew how to write for the instruments and had a pleasing gift for melody. Light and charming, perhaps like what a French Mozart (if one can conceive of such a thing) living in mid 19th century Paris might have penned.

The three movement Op.24 Serenade by the Dane EMIL HARTMANN is also for this combination. Dating from 1878, this is a fresh sounding work which blends all three of the instruments effortlessly to make a very charming first rate work.

The 1888 Op.29 Trio in B flat Major by VINCENT D'INDY (1851-1931) was hailed by the Chamber Music Journal as a masterpiece. Indeed, this is one of the early works which established d'Indy's reputation and put him in the front rank of contemporary composers. The work is unmistakably French but not of the impressionist sort. The part writing is first rate and the thematic material is convincing. A very important addition to this repertoire.

 You can hear generous soundbites of each of these trios on our website and the sheet music to all are  available from Edition Silvertrust.