From Birmingham
THE MARY ABBOTT PIANO Trio; FRANK VENTON (Violin); HARRY STANIER ('Cello); MARY ABBOTT (Pianoforte)
SCHUMANN once, with characteristic enthusiasm, wrote of this Trio by Schubert :
' One glance at it, and this poor world of ours appears fresh and bright.'
It is the first of Schubert's two Piano Trios (which, his Op. 99 and 100, were written in close succession), and is in four separate Movements.
FIRST MOVEMENT (Moderately quick). Schubert sets out at once with a splendid, exulting tune, played by Violin and 'Cello in octaves. Presently Piano takes up the Tune, then all three join in. After a while, the 'Cello begins the Second Main
Tune. It is as clear and expressive as the First, but much more tender. Violin joins in at the second phrase, then Piano takes up the Tune.
A Third Tune is used to round off this section; then a long ' Development' section follows, in which the two Main Tunes are beautifully varied and combined. Finally, the first section is repeated with only slight alterations.
SECOND MOVEMENT (At a steady pace). It is noticeable in this Movement that the 'Cello is almost continually playing in its highly poetic upper range. At the beginning, to a Piano accompaniment, 'Cello gives out an expressive, sustained Tune, very Schubertian in style and feeling. Presently the Violin quietly joins the 'Cello in this Tune, and soon all three instruments are discussing it.
A contrasting middle section of the piece is more florid and broken in style.
Then the opening Tune unassumingly returns-very beautifully modified.
THIRD MOVEMENT, Scherzo (Fast). The
Italian word ' scherzo ' means a joke, but. it is here, as frequently, used as the title of a piece which is, in general, very lively and full of good spirits.
The Fourth Movement is a Hondo (Quick and lively