Presents
Theodor Kirchner
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Soundbites |
Kindertrios / Childrens Trios for Piano Trio, Op.58
In 1882, the publisher Simrock brought out the first edition of Theodor Kirchner's Kindertrios, 15 short pieces for piano trio. They could have been published on one volume, but Simrock brought them out in two, no doubt to increase sales. Though Kirchner called the works Childrens Trios, this is rather misleading for, while they are not difficult technically, they are little masterpieces, each with its own character. Short and charming and superbly crafted by the composer almost universally considered to be the undisputed master of the character piece, a short kind of free form work. Kirchner literally wrote hundreds of such pieces which can rightly be considered little gems, little masterpieces.
Theodor Kirchner (1823-1903) was born in the town of Neukirchen near Chemnitz in the German province of Saxony and showed a prodigious musical talent at an early age. Schumann and Mendelssohn persuaded his reluctant father to send Theodor to the Leipzig Conservatory, where he studied with Mendelssohn, among others. He was a friend of both Robert and Clara Schumann as well as Brahms. Kirchner’s compositional talent was widely respected and held in the highest regard by Schumann, Brahms, Liszt, Wagner and many others. Though primarily known, during his lifetime, as an organist, pianist and teacher, he wrote more than 1,000 works, most are short and for the piano, although he did write a small amount of very appealing chamber music.
We have reprinted the Simrock edition but have corrected mistakes, added rehearsal numbers which the original lacked and have combined them into one volume. Each of these wonderful little works makes a superb encore and together can be, if desired, performed as a suite, a very appealing program choice.
Parts: $29.95
