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Mendelssohn Piano Trio no. 2 in c minor, op. 66
08 Aug 2014 updated 10 Sep 2022Program Notes
Mendelssohn’s second piano trio was completed in 1845, two years before the end of his short life. The piece is laid out on a large scale, featuring soaring, lyrical melodies and intricate, virtuosic passagework for the three instruments. Mendelssohn, who played piano in the first performances, was joined by the famous violinist Louis Spohr, to whom the piece is dedicated.
In contrast to the restless first movement, Mendelssohn offers a warmly reassuring Song Without Words as the basis of the second movement. The third movement Scherzo, which Mendelssohn himself described as “a trifle nasty to play,” is brisk and sparkling, leading way to a spirited finale of contrasting themes, one of which is most notably a quotation of a psalter known in English as Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
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Updates:
- 10 Sep 2022 — Adopted from Alden Trio program notes