Presents
William Bastard
Piano Trio in g minor, Op.3
There is virtually no information about the composer William Bastard. (1880-19??) It is not known where he was born or where he died. Some sources say 1942 or later, others 1935. All are probably guesses. It is not known where he studied. There is the claim that he was English, this probably based on his first name William and the false surmise that the etymology or origin of the word bastard is English. However, the origin of the word bastard is French, and although it is incontrovertible that William is the English version of the French name Guillaume, nonetheless, it seems fairly certain that William Bastard was French. For example, the title page to his piano trio, published in 1908 by the firm of B. Schott and sons in the German city of Mainz, is in French. The dedication is in French, "a mon cher pere." (to my dear father). The rest of the title page is also in French, including the names of the instruments. Tempo marking throughout the trio are in French. The only other works of his that we could find, both for piano, were published by the Parisian firm of Max Eschig. We also found a work dedicated to him by the French composer Eugene Gigout. There is even another French composer with the same surname, Jean Bastard, active in the 16th century. So, all we really know is that Bastard was French, and was probably active and living in Paris during the first decades of the 20th century.
As noted above, his Piano Trio in g minor, Op.3, was pubished in 1908, which would have made him 28 at the time of its publication. Judging from the music, it seems more likely that it was composed some time before this, perhaps in the last decade of the 19th century. Certainly, from the lack of works to be found by him, he was not a prolific composer. And listening to the trio, it does really sound very French. There certainly is no hint of French Impressionism. Rather, it it is written in a style closer to those French composers living at the time who eschewed Impressionism, and wrote in an older more traditional, late Romantic classical style, such as Saint Saens or Dubois. That said, it does not sound anything like their works. It also sounds, for great stretches, rather like the work of a Central European composer. You will have to judge for yourself. In four movements, the opening Allegro non troppo, ma energico, begins with a short rhythmic introduction. This rhythm penetrates and persists throughout the lovely and dramatic movement. Great lyricism is to be found int he string parts with a lovers duet between the violin and the cello. The second movement, Lamento, starts with a pounding, almost angry, series of chords, conjuring a fist shaking in anger at the heavens. However, this eventually gives way to a lengthy funereal episode, not particularly sad so much as downtrodden. The third movement, Intermezzo allegretto, is characterized more by its rhythm than the thematic material. Here and there, it is sounds French but also a bit oriental. The finale, Allegro molto, opens in a powerful, dramatic fashion which quickly gives way to a lyrical, singing series of themes, Here, too, it has the flavor of the older traditional late Romantic era style of French music.
It is always exciting to make a find that is as lovely and appealing as this fine piano trio. It would do well in concert and can be recommended to amateur ensembles as well.
Parts $29.95
