#TheRomanticMendelssohn<3

[andrewtheconqueror-blog]

Blog No. 8

(1) Chamber or Choral by (1) of the following: Mendelssohn, Schubert, Schumann, or Berlioz. 

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 66 Description: 

This trio was composed during Felix Mendelssohn’s later years, so it is regarded as a late work. Written six years after the first trio in D Minor, this trio was the last chamber work he wrote before his untimely death aged at 38. This work was written for piano, violin and cello. 

Analysis: I. Allegro energico e con fuoco Like the first trio, this was written in sonata form. Two themes occupy this movement with the piano taking a massive portion of the harmonica and rhythmic configurations. This movement is has a stormy character, but it has its lyrical moments. Like the first trio, the piano barely has breathing time in the development sections. This restless movement was written in C Minor II. Andante espressivo This movement resembles the quality of Mendelssohn’s Lied Ohne Worte. It serves as a mere extension of such quality by featuring lyrical lines that are are reminiscent of live singing. III. Scherzo: Molto allegro quasi presto This movement is exhilarating. This is the most technically demanding portion of the trio where the three instruments take equally massive roles in this fairytale movement. Unexpectedly, it rather ends quietly. IV. Finale: Allegro appassionato This movement is rather lyrical than rhythmic as opposed to other third/final movements or Finale movements. Inserted in the movement is Mendelssohn’s quotation of a chorale melody (“Gelobet seist Du, Jesu Christ”, or “Praise to You, Jesus Christ”). Even the development sections are marked by lyrical moments yet very technically demanding. This movement started in C Minor but ended in C Major.