Felix Mendelssohn:
- Piano Trios Nos. 1 and 2.
Back in 1840, Robert Schumann wrote that the Mendelssohn Piano Trio in D minor is ‘The masterpiece of our time in the trio genre.
Schumann went on to say that this work is ‘a very beautiful composition, which in years to come will continue to delight our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.’
Many years ago, when I participated in playing a lot of chamber music, I recall playing this music and loving it. We would invite some friends over to have some cookies and cake afterwards…
The D minor trio remains one of the most popular of Mendelssohn’s chamber works, uniting the composer’s gift for melody with his feeling for textures and composition mastery. A few years later he composed the Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor between February and April 1845.
Here is pianist Lang Lang and partners, playing the Mendelssohn Piano Trio no 1 in D minor 1st movement. This is a really fine and passionate performance.
