Presents
Willibald Sommer
String Trio in No.2 in d minor, Op.5
Little information can be found about Bernhard
Willibald Sommer (1846-1935) other than the fact that he was a German composer, violinist
and poet. Sommer and his music, once well-known, have with the exception of one
work, fallen into oblivion. That one work, which occasionally is performed, is
the old German folk song Der Sang ist verschollen, der Wein ist verraucht. (The song
is lost, the wein is gone). However, during the
last half of the 19th century, his chamber music enjoyed
considerable popularity and was well thought of. An example of such an opinion
can be found in the famous chamber music critic and scholar Wilhelm Altmann's
Chamber Music Handbook:
“In 1899, Willibald Sommer presented chamber music lovers with the gift of three string trios. These effective works will certainly be welcomed since each voice is given a grateful part to play and the music itself plays without any great difficulty. It is written so well and sounds so good that one is does not miss a fourth voice and the thematic material is very skillfully handled. Modulations, variations and the inventiveness of ideas are all well done, fresh and pleasing. One hears that this composer stylistically was influenced by Haydn, Mozart and early Beethoven. Trio No.2 begins with an energetic Allegro moderato which also has moments of lyricism. An Adagio with a bustling middle section is followed by a rhythmically fiery Menuetto. The finale opens with a short Adagio introduction before giving way to an Allegro, Polish in style."
Like so much else from the Romantic era, this attractive work disappeared after the First World War. We are pleased to reintroduce it and believe that it will be of interest to both amateurs and professionals.
Parts: $19.95
