Presents

Emile Ratez

String Trio in B flat Major, Op.34

Emile Ratez (1851-1934) was born in the French city Besançon. He studied viola and composition at the Paris Conservatory, the latter with Jules Massenet. He enjoyed a career as a composer and teacher and served as the director of the Lille branch of the Paris Conservatory for several decades. He composed in most genres and chamber music features prominently amongst his oeuvre and includes several piano trios, a string quartet, a string trio and several works for viola.

His String Trio in B flat Major, Op.34 dates from 1899. It was dedicated to his friend Paul Bonet who was a famous Parisian bookbinder. The trio is in three movements and opens with an Allegro in which the violin introduces the appealing theme which is then restated by the cello and then the viola. The music is characterized by considerable movement in the parts when not stating the theme. The middle movement is an engaging playful Allegretto scherzando. The jovial and triumphant finale is marked Con moto.

This is an interesting work for a few reasons. First despite when it was composed, it owes nothing to the French Impressionists and second the way the themes are presented. Written with the sure hand of a string player, this trio can be presented in concert but is especially recommended to amateurs as it presents no technical difficulties.

Parts: $19.95