Presents
Karol Lipinski
String Trio No.A Major, Op.12 for 2 Violins and Cello
Karol Lipinski's String Trio No.2 in A Major was published by C.F. Peters in 1833. It is thought to have composed about a decade earlier. As a touring virtuoso, Lipinski, like Spohr and several other touring virtuosi, often found that in many towns there were not enough good musicians available to form a small orchestra so that a concerto could be performed. However, there was often a pianist, a violinist or two, and a cellist of decent ability that could be found. Hence, these soloists would opt for the accompaniment of a few players, a string trio or quartet or perhaps a piano in such cases. Few of Lipinski's works have survived in their original version but in arrangements, often just the violin part exists. But in the case of his two string trios, we have original works. To be clear this trio was not intended as a vehicle for a soloist and although the first violin is primus inter pares, as was par for the time, the other parts are important and integral and have solos from time to time. The opening Espresso is without an actual tempo marking and alternates between moderato and allegro depending upon the mood. The middle movement is a lovely Andante and the finale is an exciting Rondo. Interestingly, the trio was commissioned and dedicated to the same Prince Galizen who commissioned Beethoven's Late Quartets.
Paganini, when asked whom he thought was the best violinist in the world, would always answer, “I don’t know, but Lipinski is the second best.” Karol Lipiński (1790-1861) was born in the Polish town of Radzyń Podlaski. He studied the violin with his father and was largely self-taught. When his family moved to Lvov, he also studied cello. In 1810. he became concertmaster and then the conductor of the opera orchestra there. In Vienna, he met Louis Spohr, one of the leading soloists of the day, who encouraged Lipinski to give up orchestral playing and pursue a career as a touring soloist. Lipinski followed this advice and in 1817 embarked on a tour through Austria, Hungary, and then on to Italy to hear Paganini play. This he did and the two became friends and concertized with each other. Although his style of playing was quite different, Lipinski was widely regarded as the only serious rival to Paganini and Paganini recognized this. He continued his career as a touring virtuoso until taking the position of Music Director of the Dresden Orchestra. He knew all of the important musicians of the day and was highly regarded by most of the leading ones such as Schumann, Mendelssohn and Chopin.
The Trio was never reprinted and has been out of print for 150 years. We have reprinted the original. It is an exciting concert piece sure to bring down the house and can be warmly recommended to players of fine technical ability.
Parts: $19.95
