Presents
François Devienne
Trio No.3 in d minor for Flute, Viola and Violoncello
François Devienne (1759-1803) was born in the French town of Joinville where he received his first musical training. In Paris he studied both the bassoon and flute and became active as a flautist, bassoonist and composer. Although he became a virtuoso flute player and was a professor of flute at the Paris Conservatory, he played bassoon at the Paris Opera. He wrote in virtually every genres and chamber music, mostly for wind instruments features prominently in his oeuvre and includes some 46 trios and 25 wind quartets and quintets.
Trio No.3 in d minor is the third of a set of six Trio Concertans composed around 1783 and according to the manuscript which we consulted were dedicated to one Monsieur Victor Louis Chevalier de Caraman (1762-1843, a French diplomat who was said to have played flute duets with Frederick the Great. All of the set are in two movements and all but No.3 are in major keys. It should come as no surprise, especially since the trios were dedicated to an amateur flute player and were called Concertans, that the flute has the lion's share of the melodic material. The opening movement is a fetching Siciliano and is followed by a lively Allegro.
This is a charming work written in the late French classical style then in vogue in Paris. It can be warmly recommended to amateur players.
Parts: $14.95
Parts & Score: $19.95
