Presents
Florian Gassmann
Trio in B flat Major, H.377
For Violin, Viola & Cello or 2 Violas and Cello
Florian Gassmann (1729-1774) was born in the Bohemian town of Brux in what was then part of the Austrian Empire. His main studies were with Giovanni Battista Martini in Bologna, after which he embarked upon a career as an opera composer, working primarily in Venice, where he held various positions. In 1763, he obtained the position of composer of ballets to the Imperial Court in Vienna, succeeding Christoph Willibald Gluck. Shortly thereafter, he became Chamber and Court Composer to Emperor Joseph II. Like most of his contemporaries, he was a very prolific composer writing some at least 50 operas, at least 45 symphonies, at least 40 string quartets and 8 string quintets, 40 string trios as well as numerous works for other chamber ensembles. Perhaps his greatest claim to fame, at least from the standpoint of today, is the fact that he was the main composition teacher of Antonio Salieri, who eventually succeeded him.
The Trio in B flat Major H.377, judging from the Hill catalog number (377), dates from the 1760s, probably shortly after his arrival in Vienna. It is in four movements. In each of the movements, Gassmann uses the cello or bass to produce an ostinato drumbeat effect which makes each of them sound a bit like marches. This is particularly evident in the opening Allegretto and the finale Allegro. Even in the somber second movement, Andante, the music approaches that of a funeral march. In third place is a Menuetto, grazioso. The trio was recorded by an ensemble using a bass rather than a cello, possibly because the manuscript bore the words Basso, which did not normally mean bass but bass voice and usually referred to the cello. Clearly, though, it is for cello.
Without doubt, this is an interesting work, not only because it can be played by 2 violas and cello, but also because it is a representative of music being composed as the baroque era waned and the classical was beginning. As such, it is valuable addition, we feel, to the trio players library.
| (A) Violin, Viola & Cello | $11.95 |
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| (B) Two Violas & Cello | $11.95 |
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| (C) All Four Parts | $15.95 |
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