AMATIS 26/27
Vienna​
Vienna, the heart of classical music, has given the world some of its most cherished masterpieces. Few ensembles bring these works to life as vividly as the Amatis Trio, renowned for their refined, daring and fresh interpretations of the Viennese Classics.
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In this program, they explore the elegance, innovation, and emotional depth of three great composers. Haydn’s Piano Trio in C major sparkles with wit and charm, embodying his role as the father of the piano trio. Beethoven’s Op. 1, No. 1 is bold and ambitious, marking the dawn of his unique voice in music. After the interval, Schubert’s Piano Trio in B-flat major unfolds in sweeping lyricism, blending joy and melancholy with unmistakable Viennese grace.
A journey through Vienna’s rich musical legacy.
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Joseph Haydn - Piano Trio in C major, Hob. XV:27 [18mins]
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Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Trio Op.1, No.1 [30mins]
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-- interval --
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Franz Schubert - Piano Trio No.1 in B-flat major, D. 898 [40mins]
Folk Tales​​
This program explores the folk-driven rhythms and cultural influences woven into the music of Haydn, Brahms, Manuel de Falla and Ravel. Haydn’s “Gypsy” Trio evokes the lively spirit of Eastern European folk dances, particularly through its gypsy-like rhythms and vibrant rondo finale. Brahms’ Piano Trio No. 2 incorporates Hungarian folk melodies and rhythmic patterns, blending profound emotional depth with a nod to central European traditions. Falla’s “Siete Canciones populares españolas” draws deeply from the heart of Spanish folk music, reflecting the varied and passionate traditions of the country, from its fiery dances to its melodic lullabies. Ravel’s Piano Trio in A minor takes a more exotic approach, using Spanish rhythms and Eastern influences to create a colorful and cosmopolitan sound world.
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Together, these works highlight how folk elements can transcend their cultural roots, transforming into universal expressions of emotion and vitality. The program offers a rich exploration of how these composers infused their music with the essence of folk traditions while pushing the boundaries of classical music to create something uniquely their own.
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Joseph Haydn – Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, Hob. XV:25 "Gypsy" [16mins]
Johannes Brahms - Piano Trio No.2, Op.87 [30mins]
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-- interval --
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Manuel de Falla’s “Siete Canciones populares españolas” -
El paño moruno, Asturiana, Nana and Jota [10mins]
Ravel Piano Trio in A minor (1914) [30mins]
Romantic Roots
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Franz Schubert - Piano Trio No. 1 in B-Dur, op. 99, D. 898 [43’]
Franz Schubert's Piano Trio No. 1, composed in 1827, encapsulates a pivotal moment in the shift from Classical to Romantic music. Departing from the formal constraints of the Classical period, Schubert introduces an emotional depth, harmonic daring and lyrical expressiveness that characterises the emerging Romantic era. The second movement, Andante un poco mosso, is particularly noteworthy for its extended, introspective dialogue among the instruments, breaking away from Classical symmetry and paving the way for the emotive richness that would define Romantic compositions. Schubert's Op. 99 serves as a compelling bridge between two musical epochs, showcasing the evolution towards a more personal and expressive musical language.
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Franz Liszt - Tristia (La Vallée d'Obermann) for Piano Trio, S. 378c [16’]
Franz Liszt's "Tristia (La Vallée d'Obermann) for Piano Trio" reflects the pioneering spirit of Liszt's symphonic poems and his transformative approach to composition that epitomises the Romantic era. Originally part of the suite "Années de pèlerinage," Liszt's arrangement for piano trio (S. 378c) retains the profound emotional depth and narrative quality of the original piano work. Liszt, a key figure in the Romantic movement, pioneered the symphonic poem—a genre that aimed to convey extra-musical ideas and stories through music. "Tristia" exemplifies this approach, translating the melancholic beauty of "La Vallée d'Obermann" into a chamber setting.
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy - Piano Trio Nr. 2 in c-Moll, op. 66 [30’]
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66, is a prime example of Romanticism's expressive power. Composed in 1845, this piece incorporates classical forms with intense emotional depth. The opening movement immerses the listener in a stormy atmosphere, a hallmark of Romantic expression. Mendelssohn employs rich harmonies and dynamic contrasts, embracing the turbulence associated with the Romantic movement. The second movement, a lyrical Andante, demonstrates Mendelssohn's talent for crafting soulful melodies, with an emphasis on individual expression and introspection. Throughout the trio, Mendelssohn's innovative use of form and ability to evoke a wide range of emotions make this work an exquisite example of Romantic-era chamber music, embodying the period's ethos of passion and poetic exploration.
400 Years in Music
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Spanning four centuries and four different eras of music, this program traces the evolution of the piano trio, showcasing how composers across eras have reimagined this intimate ensemble.
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The journey begins with Haydn’s Piano Trio in C major, Hob. XV:27, a work full of elegance and wit from the father of the piano trio. From there, we leap forward to Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 8, an early work brimming with youthful intensity and emotional depth.
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At the heart of the program is a brand-new trio by Andrea Tarrodi, commissioned by some of Europe’s most prestigious concert halls, bringing a fresh and contemporary voice to this rich tradition.
The evening concludes with Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 49, a Romantic masterpiece that fuses passion, lyricism, and dazzling virtuosity.
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From classical elegance and romantic heart to modern innovation, this concert is a tribute to the enduring power of music through the centuries.
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Joseph Haydn Piano Trio Hob. XV:27 [18mins]
Dmitry Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 1, op. 8 [13mins]
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-- interval --
Andrea Tarrodi "Moorlands" - (commission Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Konzerthaus Dortmund, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Kölner Philharmonie (KölnMusik) & ECHO) [8mins]
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Piano Trio no. 1, op. 49 [30mins]
A Journey Through the Four Seasons​
Astor Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires reimagine Vivaldi’s classic cycle through the lens of tango, infusing each season with rhythm, passion, and nostalgia. In this program, each of Piazzolla’s seasons is paired with works that reflect its mood, guiding the audience through the ever-changing emotions of the year.
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Haydn’s lively "Gypsy" Trio captures the vibrant, colorful energy of autumn’s harvest season before Schubert’s Andante con moto evokes its golden melancholy. Spring awakens with the inventions of Beethoven’s playful "Gassenhauer" Trio, while the warmth of summer intensifies with Ravel’s Habanera and Pantoum.
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Through this journey, each piece enhances the essence of the seasons, creating a rich, ever-shifting musical landscape.
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Joseph Haydn – Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, Hob. XV:25 "Gypsy" – III. Rondo: Allegro [3mins]
Fritz Kreisler – Liebesleid (for Violin and Piano) [5mins]
Astor Piazzolla – From The Four Seasons: Autumn (Otoño Porteño) [6mins]
Franz Schubert – Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 100, D. 929 – II. Andante con moto [10mins]
Astor Piazzolla – From The Four Seasons: Winter (Invierno Porteño) [5mins]
Felix Mendelssohn – Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 66 – IV. Finale: Allegro appassionato [6mins]
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--- Interval ---
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Ludwig van Beethoven – Trio, Op. 11 "Gassenhauer" – IV. Pria ch’io l’impegno [7mins]
Felix Mendelssohn – From Piano Trio Op. 49 in D minor – III. Scherzo [4mins]
Astor Piazzolla – From The Four Seasons: Spring (Primavera Porteña) [6mins]
Maurice Ravel – Piece in the Form of a Habanera (for Cello and Piano) [3mins]
Maurice Ravel – Piano Trio in A minor – II. Pantoum (Assez vif) [4mins]
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Astor Piazzolla – From The Four Seasons: Summer (Verano Porteño) [6mins]