Robert Schumann, a prominent composer and critic, hailed Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor as "the present-day masterpiece in the trio genre" and called Mendelssohn "the Mozart of the nineteenth century."
Performer Biography
The Sitkovetsky Trio, formed in 2007, has received numerous awards and critical acclaim, including first prize at the International Schumann Chamber Music Award in 2008.
Composition History
Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor was composed relatively easily, largely due to the composer enjoying a period of "proper peace and quiet" in Frankfurt.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Mendelssohn aimed to revive the piano trio genre, which he felt was "completely forgotten" in his time, and planned to write several trios to address this.
Compositional Technique
The finale of Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor incorporates hymn-like allusions, such as 'Gelobet seist Du, Jesu Christ' and 'Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir,' to provide a "heavenly solution to potential earthly conflicts."
Composition History
Mendelssohn's English publisher, Buxton, requested that the piano part of the Second Piano Trio not be too difficult, humorously stating that he hoped it wasn't a "monstrosity that would frighten the ladies."
Composition History
Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor underwent extensive revisions, including a complete rewrite of the piano part for the first movement, after feedback from his friend Ferdinand Hiller.
You might also enjoy...
Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2
Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 1
Mendelssohn-Bartoldy: Piano Trios
Mendelssohn, Felix: Piano Trios Nos. 1 and 2
Mendelssohn & Hensel: Piano Trios
Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Nos. 1 and 2
The Mendelssohn Siblings
Mendelssohn: The Piano Trios
Mendelssohn, Felix: Piano Trios Nos. 1 and 2
Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2
Mendelssohn - Lalo: Piano Trios: Piano Trio in C Minor, op.66; Piano Trio in A Minor, op.26
