Presents
Gaspar Cassado
Piano Trio in C Major
Gaspar Cassado (1897-1966) was born in Barcelona, the capital of the Spanish region of Catalonia. He began to study cello at age seven with Dinoniso March, a prominent cellist in that city. The famous cellist Pablo Casals happened to be in the audience of a recital Cassado gave at age nine. Cassado's talent was such that Casals immediately made an offer to teach him. With the help of a grant from the city of Barcelona, Cassado was able to study with Casals for several years in Paris. While there, he also had the opportunity to study composition with Maurice Ravel and Manuel de Falla, and his music, to some extent, shows their influence. He was probably the most famous cellist after Casals to come out of Spain. Besides, being one of the leading soloist of his time, he also formed three prominant piano trios with Artur Rubinstein, Harold Bauer, Jose Iturbi and Alicia de Larocha. He was a sought after teacher, holding several professorships at conservatories in Spain, Germany and Italy. In addition, be became an important composer for his own instrument but also for modern Spanish chamber music works.
The Piano Trio in C Major was composed in 1926 and dedicated to his friend the Italian pianist and composer Alfredo Casella. It is a powerful and virtuosic work full of Spanish and Catalan melodies and rhythms. The opening movement, Allegro risoluto, explodes out of the gate, fortissimo energico. Several Allegro ma non troppo interludes provide stark contrasts. The riveting second movement, Tempo moderato e pesante, employs pizzicati, glissandi, extreme changes of dynamics and rhythms to telling effect. It is an unforgettable experience. The finale, begins with a substantial Recitativo introduction which leades to the main section, Allegro vivo. (our soundbite begins here) The themes here are more graceful and elegant than in the precedidng two movements.
This is an extraordinary work, among the very best modern Spanish piano trios. It will make the very strongest of positive impressions upon audiences which get the chance to hear it performed in concert. Certainly not a work for the average amateur enthusiast, however, amateurs of professional technical and ensemble standard will find this a rewarding work.
Parts: $29.95
