GRACE ANGUS (Soprano) ; FRANK P. PROBYN (Horn); Julius ROSTALL (Violin);
HENRY BRONKHURST (Pianoforte) JULIUS ROSTALL and HENRY BRONKHURST
THIS work, the composer's Op. 40, is one of his rather rare essays in writing
Chamber Music pieces that include Wind instruments. He provided alternative 'Cello and Viola parts for this Trio, to be used when the Horn was not available, but the particularly rich. velvety tone of the Horn best suits the melodies Brahms has written.
-There are four Movements.
FIRST MOVEMENT. A rather slow one.
It opens with the First Main Tune, in two-time, given first to Violin and then to Horn.
The Second Main Tune (again introduced by the Violin) is much more animated, and is easily recognizable, as it is in three-time.
SECOND MOVEMENT. A Scherzo. The Piano races off with octaves in three-time. When the other instruments enter a moment later, it is with a bold phrase in two-time, the rhythmic contrast of which, whenever it appears, is one of the features of the Movement.
The Horn has a smooth Second Tune, and then the two ideas are fully developed and repeated, and so the first part of the Movement closes. Its middle section (' Trio ') is much gentler.
THIRD MOVEMENT. This is a beautifully expressive Slow Movement, largely of the nature of a conversation between Horn and Violin against a background of Piano tone, lovely both in subject matter, harmony and rhythmic variety.
FOURTH MOVEMENT. The Finale is a lively
Movement, though not without its deeper moments.