Arensky, Piano Trio No.1 in D minor Op.32 3rd mov. Elegia, Adagio

Anton (Stepanovich) Arensky,

Piano Trio No.1 in D minor Op.32

3rd mov. Elegia, Adagio - Piu mosso - Tempo I

Vovka Askenazy, piano /

Christine Jackson, cello / Richard Wtamper, violin

 

Anton Stepanovich Arensky, Piano Trio No.1 in D minor Op.32 (1894)

"Beaux Arts Trio"

Menahem Pressler, piano / Ida Kavafian, violin / Peter Wiley, cello (1994)

00:00 - I. Allegro moderato 12:43 - II. Scherzo. Allegro molto 18:49 - III. Elegia. Adagio 25:35 - IV. Finale. Allegro non troppo Arensky's Piano Trio, Op.32, was composed in memory of cellist Karl Davidov, friend of both the composer and Tchaikovsky, as well as director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory during Arensky's studies. The cello plays a prominent role in the trio, at times matching or surpassing the violin in importance. In fact, many sections of the piece sound like a piano and cello duet, perhaps honoring not just Davidov but also Arensky's cellist father.

 

- The piece opens with a soaring, lyrical movement that interrupts the warm, flowing sections with sudden, passionate outbursts containing playful traces of Mendelssohnian charm. As a whole, the first movement exudes remarkable power and energy. Even the lyrical passages are accompanied by a pulsating accompanying figure in the piano, resulting in a feeling of constant motion and energy. - The second movement is a light-hearted, ear-tickling scherzo which entices the listener to join in the dance. - This lighthearted movement is followed by a tender, reflective "Elegia," with the muted cello introducing the melancholy theme. Even the passages which evoke a happier mood seem to be only memories. The dreamlike third movement is abruptly answered by... - the more forceful, dramatic opening of the finale, which serves to pull together fragments from the preceding movement in a summarizing final paragraph. The piece is dedicated: "À la mémoire de Charles Davidoff".

 

The Beaux Arts Trio was a noted piano trio. They made their debut on July 13, 1955, at the Berkshire Music Festival, Lenox, Massachusetts, USA, known today as the Tanglewood Music Center. Their final American concert was held at Tanglewood on August 21, 2008. It was webcast live and archived on NPR Music. Their final concert was in Lucerne, Switzerland on September 6, 2008.   Throughout its existence, the trio was held together by the founding member, pianist Menahem Pressler. The original members of the trio when it was founded in 1955 were: Piano: Menahem Pressler, Violin: Daniel Guilet, Cello: Bernard Greenhouse. The violin and cello members changed on a number of occasions, with later members including: Violin: Isidore Cohen (1968–1992; formerly 2nd violinist of the Juilliard String Quartet), Ida Kavafian (1992–1998), Yung Uck Kim (1998–2002), Daniel Hope (2002-2008) / Cello: Peter Wiley (1987-1998), then changed to Guarneri Quartet) 2001-2009; Antonio Meneses (1998-2008).