Presents
František Škroup
Trio in E flat Major, Op27
For Clarinet (or Violin), Cello (or Bassoon) & Piano
František Škroup (1801-1862) was born in the Czech village of Osice. Initally trained by his father, he was sent to the nearby town of Hradec Králové and then at the age of eleven he moved to Prague where he supported himself as a choir boy and flautist. After studying law, he decided to devote himself to music, becoming a well-known conductor and composer. He held several positions in Prague and later became Music Director of the opera in Rotterdam. While his operas and songs were once often performed, today, his music is all but forgotten except his melody which was used for the Czech national anthem Kde domov můj (My Homeland). He wrote in virtually every genre and was widely considered one of the most important Czech composers of the first half of the 19th century. His chamber music works consist of three string quartets and three trios with piano for various combinations.
The Trio in E flat Major, Op.27 is the first of the trios and was published sometime around 1845 and 1846 simultaneously in Prague by the German firm of J. Hoffman and in Hamburg by August Kranz. The title page which was in French states the Trio is for Clarinet (or Violin), Cello and Piano and each publication contained four parts. The work became popular and a later publisher with a view to increasing sales noted that the cello part, which had no double stops, could be played by the bassoon as well. Subsequently, the work was also performed in this combination in concerts where the Glinka Trio Pathetique, originally for clarinet, bassoon and piano, appeared.
They style resembles that of Carl Maria von Weber and Škroup mostly likely was familiar with Weber’s works for clarinet. The Trio begins with a emphatic Allegro played in unison. The theme is developed against quick running passages primarily in the piano. A delicate subject follows for contrast. The long-lined main theme of the second movement, Andante grazioso, is initially introduced by the piano in a highly ornamented version before the clarinet and cello take turns singing it. A lively Scherzo, allegretto with contrasting trio comes next. The finale, Allegro, captivates with its fast running triplet passages and its lovely, lyrical second theme.
Our new edition is based on the original August Kranz edition and a subsequent one by C.F. Peters. The cello part and bassoon part are identical and the trio can be played quite effectively in all of the combinations listed below.
| (A) Clarinet, Cello (or Bassoon) & Piano | $27.95 |
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| (B) Violin, Cello (or Bassoon) & Piano | $27.95 |
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| (C) All Four Parts | $33.95 |
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