Presents
Franz Anton Hoffmeister
String Trio for 2 Violins and Cello in E flat Major, Op.22 No.1-New Edition
Hoffmeister's String Trio Op.22 No.1 in E flat Major is the first of a set of six which were composed in the late 1790s. Prior to this time, he had composed at least six other trios. The Op.22, based on the fact that they were published in Germany, the Netherlands, England and France by at least four different publishing firms and went through more than one edition, are testimony to the fact that these trios were much in demand and very popular. Hoffmeister’s writing shows a kinship in form to those of Haydn and Mozart. And these are not merely trios for the first violin with the other two voices playing accompanying roles like one finds in similiar trios of Haydn. To the contrary, the part-writing is surprisingly good and each of the voices, as you can hear from the soundbites, are given a chance to shine.
Today, the name of Franz Anton Hoffmeister (1754-1812) lives on only because of his close friendship with Mozart, who named his K.499 D Major string quartet after him in recognition of all the money Hoffmeister had given him. Few people are also aware that he became a famous music publisher, his firm known to us today as Edition Peters. Hoffmeister arrived in Vienna at age 14 from western Germany where he had intended to study law. Like so many before and after him, he was lured away by the siren song of music. He decided on a career as a composer and, like most of his contemporaries, was a prolific one. We know from contemporary accounts that his music was held in high regard and those who have had the opportunity to play or hear it usually agree that there is much of value to be found therein. He is thought to have composed at least 15 and possibly as many as 18 string trios for two violins and cellos.
In making our edition, we have had the opportunity to examine the first and second editions published by the firm of Jean Andre of Offenbach. And while there have been other modern editions available of this trio, we have paid particular attention to page turns making performance easy and are offering the work at a price which takes the average musician's pocketbook into account.
Parts: $19.95
Score & Parts: $24.95
