Presents
Anton Reicha
Piano Trio No.1 in C Major, Op.47
Anton Reicha, (1770-1836, Antonin Rejcha in the Czech form) was born in Prague. Orphaned at an early age, he went to Bavaria to live with his uncle, Joseph Reicha a concert cellist and music director. He studied violin, flute, piano and composition while with his uncle. In 1785, they went to Bonn, where Joseph became music director at the electoral court. There, Anton got to know Beethoven with whom he became friends. He traveled extensively, holding positions in Hamburg, Vienna and Paris, where he eventually settled. By 1810 he was a professor at the Paris Conservatory and became one of the most famous teachers of his time. George Onslow, Louise Farrenc, Franz Liszt, Hector Berlioz, Cesar Franck and Charles Gounod were among his many students. He also gained fame as a theorist. He was an innovator in many areas. Though perhaps not the inventor of the Wind Quintet, he was the first to popularize it. A prolific composer, he wrote in virtually every genre. Chamber music is a very important part of his oeuvre.
His Piano Trio in C Major, Op.47, which dates from 1805 was entitled Sonata for Piano, Violin and Violoncello. This was typical for the time. Haydn entitled all of his piano trios as sonatas for Piano with Violin and Cello accompaniment. However, Reicha’s piano trios are nothing like Haydn’s. In Haydn’s piano trios, and to a lesser extent in Mozart’s the strings could be dispensed with and little would be lost. Not so in Reicha’s. In fact, as far as part writing goes, Reicha’s are in advance of what Beethoven did in his three Op.1 trios, written a few years before. In three movements, the trio begins, with an Allegro poco vivo, which sounds rather like the early music of Beethoven. The middle movement, Adagio, begins with a long Haydnesque piano solo before the strings enter. First the Violin is given an even longer solo. The absence of the cello for such a long time creates the impression of a mini violin sonata. But at last when the cello enters, and is given the lead, but not a solo, the music becomes a true piano trio. (our soundbite starts here) The finale, Allegro vivace, is an upbeat, lively affair.
Here is a trio from Beethoven's time that is in its own way on an equal footing with Ludwig's trios. Reicha's ideas are original and fresh and not to be heard elsewhere. This is a good work which could be performed in the concert hall but also will be welcomed by amateurs as well. It has been out of print for well over a century. We have reprinted the only edition. It is quite readable but not of the quality of a modern edition. Our price reflects that.
Parts $19.95
