Presents
Franz Alexander Pössinger
Serenata in Trio Concertante, Op.10
Franz Alexander Pössinger (1767-1827) was born in Vienna, where he lived for his entire life. He studied violin and viola as well as composition from Georg Albrechtsberger, who taught the likes of Beethoven. Pössinger, from the time he completed his studies until his death, served as a member of the violin section in the Imperial Court Orchestra. He was also a composer, mostly of chamber music and a much sought after arranger. His arrangements of Rossini operas were much in demand and Beethoven, with whom he was a friend, asked him to arrange his fourth piano concerto, even before it was printed, for piano and string quintet.
The Serenata iu Trio Concertante was composed in the late 1780s or early 1790s. As the title inplies, the trio is written in the concertante style, with each instrument being given ample opportunies. His handling of the voices, especially that of the violin and cello is quite interesting. The cello is suddenly rocketed from its lower registers into its treble taking over the theme from the violin who then plunges two octaves to fulfill the role of the bass line. This creates a unique timbre, very bright, which few other composers utilized like Pössinger did. The work opens with an substantial Adagio introduction, which leads to the main section Allegro con spirito. The Menuetto, poco allegretto which is placed second is interesting as it is much slower and lively the trio. Third is a charming Romanza. The trio ends with an Andante con variazione with a Presto coda.
The part writing in this trio is extraordinarily good, with the cello being given more opportunities than one rarely finds from this era. A worthy addition to the repertoire of trios from the Vienna Classical era.
Parts: $19.95
