Malagueña (No.3) from España(op. 165), Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)
Isaac Albéniz composed España for solo piano in 1890. This work was composed towards the end of the Romantic era. Each of the six movements has a distinct Spanish flair, and the Malagueña is a specific type of Spanish folk dance. As fun as this is to play there’s a repetive motive throughout the movement and an overall melancholy feel. Roe Goodman has arranged a fair amount of music, especially for wind trios. Roe Goodman is a bassoonist currently based in London.
Concert champêtre, Henri Tomasi (1901-1971)
Moving from a Spanish to a French composer, Tomasi’s beautiful trio for the trio d’anche, or reed trio, has a beautiful medieval and folk-dance character. All the movements are named after “peasant” folkdances. Our favorite movement is the Nocturne because it is so beautiful with its many cryptic overtones. Henri Tomasi began his career as a pianist like many composers but hated performing because he felt like a trained animal. He performed to make a living but preferred conducting and composing. He lived in the time when radio was a new medium and became one of the first radio conductors. It might be safe to say Tomasi favored writing for the clarinet as there are numerous chamber works with clarinet and a major concerto, sonata and other solos.
Fugue in C Minor, Johannes Sebastien Bach (1685-1750)
J.S. Bach’s music sits at the pinnacle of the musical cannon representing the Baroque era. He is one of the most prolific composers of all time. This arrangement is from the Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, No. 1 BWV 847, book No. 1 from The Well Tempered Clavier. The music was intended for a keyboard instrument like harpsichord, clavichord, or forte piano. It is challenging to create a delicate blend of the reed instruments in order to imitate the rich enmeshment of a keyboard instrument and make the three instruments sound like one.
Cinq Pièces en trio, Jacques Ibert (1890-1962)
French composer Ibert wrote Cinq Pieces en Trio, considered a standard for the trio d’anche repertoire. The work features attractive and interesting harmonies and rhythms that are complimentary and idiomatically written for the three wind instruments. The movements do not have specific names, only style and tempo markings. Looking at other pieces by Ibert he numbers his pieces, or bluntly expresses what will be played (ex. Six Pieces for Solo Harp). Ibert composed in a variety of settings including concerti, ballets, opera, film, and more.
Ballet Suite for 3 Clarinets, Douglas Townsend (1921-2012)
I am so excited to perform this piece with my West Chester University clarinet professor, Karen Dannessa and guest professor Keith Spradlin from Ocean City College! This piece is contemporary with jazz and traditional ballet flavor, which are two styles not typically set together. The sudden small areas of dissonance create beautiful unique overtones. As I was learning this trio, I tried to envision what kind of ballet this might be set to. Townsend also composed in a variety of styles and studied with prominent 20th century musicians and composers like Aaron Copland. Even though it was difficult to stand out in the 20th century, I think Townsend ended up making his mark. He was composing until his death.
Musette for Oboe Clarinet and Bassoon Op.47, Georges Pfeiffer (1835-1908)
Pfeiffer originally wrote the Musette and two other movements for piano. However, his publisher, Louis Gregh, asked for an oboe, clarinet, and bassoon trio instead. This was the only movement arranged for the trio d’anche. Unfortunately, Pfeiffer remains relatively unknown but was quite admired during his life. He composed a lot for French ballet and for other musical settings too. This is an enjoyable piece to play! I don’t think a piano would do justice to the interesting tone colors and harmony that a reed trio brings to the music.
Arcade Trio, Dario Argentesi (b.1985)
This work is only about a year old! It is complicated but a delight to perform. It is supposed to be reminiscent of video game music. Argentesi dedicated the work to the reed trio “Tri Mrske Trske.” A worldly composer, Argentesi was born in Italy, studied in Belgium and resides in China. He writes music for a variety of commissions, instruments, and ensembles. Assuming he played video games in his youth, he perfectly captures 8-bit electronic music! This is the most modern work on the program and the most unique.