Presents
Jan van Gilse
Trio in f sharp minor for Flute, Violin and Viola
Jan van Gilse (1881-1944) was born in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. He showed an early aptitude for piano playing and composing. He studied at the Cologne conservatory and later in Berlin with Engelbert Humperdinck. His compositions received several international prizes. In addition to composing, van Gilse ursued a career as a conductor holding postions with orchestras in Bremen, Munich and Amsterdam. After the outbreak of the First World War, he conducted the Utrecht Orchestra and served as director of the Untrecht Conservatory.
Van Gilse's early style is indebted to German late romanticism. After about 1920, however, it becomes more modernist. His Trio for Flute, Violin and Viola dates from 1927 and exhibits these tendancies, a combination of late German romanticism and French impressionism. It is in three movements. The first movement begins with a subtantial introduction, Ruhig, frei (calm and free), a flute solo cadenza. The main section, Allegro molto moderato, (our soundbite begins here) is lazy and full of perfumed chromaticism. The middle movement, Alla marcia leggerio, is as the title suggests a bright, upbeat march with tinges of Paul Dukas. The finale, Molto vivace, begins in fugal fashion and also bring Dukas to mind.
Unavailable for many years, this highly appealing early 20th century work and underserved ensemble will be welcome in the concert hall as well as on the stands of amateurs.
Parts: $21.95
Parts & Score: $29.95
