Romanticism in D minor - 6 August - Arensky Piano Trio No. 1

Allegro moderato Scherzo – Allegro molto Elegia – Adagio Finale – Allegro non troppo Anton Arensky was an influential Russian composer, pianist, and professor at the Moscow Conservatory where some of his more notable students included Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, and Gretchaninov. Arensky was himself taught by Rimsky-Korsakov and mentored by Tchaikovsky from whom he drew much inspiration and subsequently is evident in his works. The D minor piano trio starts the first movement in the tradition of late German Romanticism with a grand sonata form wielding impressive, sweeping melodies underlied by tremulous, destabilising, syncopated accompaniment reminiscent of the Mendelssohn D minor trio’s first movement. The second movement “Scherzo” is a whimsical concoction of good humour and delightful cheer presenting the light-hearted spirit of the dance. The third movement “Eegia” presents an unrelenting sombre mood with muted strings and tender themes to really emphasise the grieving character of music as this trio was dedicated to the memory of Karl Davydov, a renowned Russian cellist and Arensky’s friend. The Finale begins with an explosive theme but soon recalls motifs from the previous movements giving the piano trio a cyclic structure before insistently driving the work to a fantastical end. (Programme notes written by Joseph Chen)