DB41D91E-E0C0-4E7C-A354-2EE1F1270965

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IDDB41D91E-E0C0-4E7C-A354-2EE1F1270965
TitlecodeX503012
Title NameTrio
Marketing Copy(not set)
InstrumentationViolin, Cello, Piano
Commission(not set)
Dedication(not set)
Program NotesWhen I was approached by Charles Castleman of the Raphael Trio to compose a work for them it was soon after I had heard this ensemble in a recital of Beethoven's trios, and that wonderful performance of those remarkable pieces coaxed me through the composing of my own work. My Trio is a piece in three movements, which follows the tempo scheme of fast-slow-fast; it often groups the two string instruments as a thematic unit which is contrasted with the piano writing, as is found in Beethoven's trios; each movement develops from a short and motivic musical statement heard at the beginning; and the second movement, which is marked Tempo di Sarabanda, uses the rhythmical style of an old dance form--the sarabande. Both of the faster movements feature repeating rhythms that build intensity--not something new to music from Beethoven's period, but in this piece, I think, a bit different from it. The opening movement progresses from an initial melody in the piano that is just a little bit out of rhythmical balance, lasting four and one-half beats with a pick-up note. The third movement, somewhat like a rondo, is lean in texture and a bit hard-edged, with a great deal of unison doubling and imitation. A swirling waltz appears in the middle of the movement. The slow second movement reflects the sarabande characteristics through a contemporary prism.
The Trio was first performed on December 2, 1990, in Taplin Auditorium at Princeton University on a concert sponsored by the Friends of Music. The Performers were Catherine Tait, violin; Steven Doane, cello; and the pianist was myself. The Raphael Trio, for whom the piece was written, performed the work in several recitals during their 1992 season.

-David Liptak
Title Brand2
Year Composed1991
Copyright Number(not set)
Copyright Year(not set)
Duration18
Ensemble Size3
Date Created2008-10-31 20:32:07.000000
Date Updated2025-09-30 20:32:07
Inhouse Note(not set)
Bsc Code(not set)
Text Author(not set)
Premier Performance Memo(not set)
Recording Credits(not set)
Review"It's a gripping modern work with intense drive. One action sets off another, sparking a chain reaction of spiraling energy. Often the headlong rush is frantic, a feeling induced by unsettling rhythms that Liptak, a faculty member at the Eastman School of Music, mentioned during his lively pre-concert talk."--Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Awards(not set)
Title Category10
Title Movements(not set)
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Set Series ID(not set)
Title Instrument Category TextString Duo & Ensemble
Title Sub Category Text(not set)
Title Sub Category74
Title Instrument Header63
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Clean Urltrio-x503012