Today we will look at chamber music with a somewhat historical eye and ear. During the Renaissance, most intimate music was written for voice and accompaniment. By the Baroque era, music was often written in a way that allowed various instrumental combinations, depending on what was available. Eventually, the Trio Sonata was popular. Keyboard players were trained in performing from a figured bass, adding the chord tones and ornamentations.
I'm going to begin our concert for the day with Papa Haydn, who is credited with being the father of modern chamber music and of the string quartet. The Lark Quartet (Op 64, No 5) from 1795 is a good example of his quartet style. Mozart continued the development of the quartet, dedicating some of his own quartets to Haydn. Mozart was the first to use the clarinet, a new instrument at the time, in his Quintet in A Major, K581 - you'll hear that piece today.
Beethoven made many innovations in chamber music. Today you'll hear his piano Trio in c minor, Op 1, No 3, which gives us a sign that the Classical Period is ending, and change is coming. I'll contrast that work with the Brahms Piano Trio No 3 in c minor, Op 101, from 1886, solidly in the Romantic Period.
Next - Schubert's String Quartet in d minor, "Death and the Maiden", from 1824 (going back in time partly because of the time constraints of playing entire works on the radio!). I'll end this venture into chamber music with the Nocturne from the Borodin String Quartet No 2. Join me!
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Email me
Upcoming Concerts:
Hawai‘i Opera Theatre, The Daughter of the Regiment: February 9, 11 & 13, 2018, Blaisdell Concert Hall
UH Guest Recital, Mike Truesdell and Anne Lanzilotti, New works for Viola and Percussion: Friday, February 9, 2018, 7:30pm, Orvis Auditorium
Honolulu Chamber Music Series, Doric String Quartet, Works by Haydn Mendelssohn and Britten: Saturday, February 10, 2018, 7:30 pm, Orvis Auditorium
Chamber Music Hawai‘i, Tresemble & Ian O'Sullivan, Astor Piazzola - Music of the Tango: Four for Tango/Libertango/Tango Ballet/Café 1930: Monday, Feb. 12, 7:30pm, Doris Duke Theatre; Monday, February 19, 7:30pm, Paliku Theatre
Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia d”Amore, featuring Makana: Friday, February 16, 7:30pm, Blaisdell Concert Hall
Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra, Lang Lang!: Sunday, February 18, 2018, 4pm, Blaisdell Concert Hall
