Presents
August Alexander Klengel
Piano Trio in c minor, Op.36
August Alexander Klengel (1783-1852) was born in the German city of Dresden. He studied piano and composition with Muzio Clementi, one of the most important piano teachers of his time. He pursed a career as a touring piano soloist, teacher and composer. After being appointed composer to the King of Saxony, he spent the rest of his life in Dresden. Most of his works were for piano. Chopin, who was on friendly terms with him, thought highly of his compositions. Though fairly well-known during his lifetime, he and his works fell into oblivion shortly after his death. Today, if he is remembered at all, it is as a footnote for one composition, his Canons and Fugues for Piano. In them, Klengel attempted to synthesize the lessons he had learned by studying composers from Bach to Clementi and illustrating them by musical examples. He was probably the first pianist to reintroduce Bach’s works in his concerts and he became the editor of Breitkopf and Hartel’s important edition of the The Well-Tempered Klavier. As a teacher of piano, Mendelssohn considered him without equal.
His Piano Trio in c minor, Op.36 dates from 1824. In four movements, the trio opens with a stately Largo introduction which leads to the main section, an exciting Allegro non troppo ma con fuoco. (our soundbite starts here) The second movement, Andante con moto, is noteworthy for the dialog between the violin and cello over the discreet accompaniment of the piano. A sparkling Scherzo with finely contrasting trio section comes next. The finale is a fast moving Allegro molto with thrilling Presto coda.
This is a fine, early Romantic era piano trio. It is by turns beautiful and exciting with great part-writing. It deserves concert performance and can also be recommended to experienced amateur players. We have reprinted the original edition, which, though it has a few specks here and there, is clean and easy to read, although it should be pointed out that this is not a modern edition and the piano part is not a piano score.
Parts: $29.95
