NOTES

Prelude for Michelle (2002) was composed by very own Paul Hoffman. Originally titled, Wedding Processional, it was dedicated, "for Michelle on our wedding day." Written, of course, for a flute, cello and piano trio, it's in ABA form. We play it whole-heartedly! Need we say more?

We are continuing our exploration of the W.A. Mozart piano trios with the Trio in E, K542. Being a consummate composer of opera where each character on the stage has a part important in the integrated whole, Mozart does the same for his piano trios. Instead of the trio being a sonata mostly for piano with accompanying instruments as many of the Classic era rios were, Mozart freed the cello from the supportive basso continuo part to an independent voice and wrote the violin/flute as a separate treble part to the right hand of the piano - not merely doubling it. The Trio in E was written in the same period as the his three symphonies. It is characterized by a flowing melody in the first movement, a stately dotted rhythm in the second and sparkling virtuosic passages in the third.

Committed to our use of voice in the group, we have added André Previn’s Four Songs (1994) for soprano, cello and piano to our repertoire - a wonderful piece of truly American music. Using poems by Toni Morrison as lyrics, Previn composes with his trademark blend of classical and jazz idioms. The four movements/poems are titled: Mercy; Stones; Shelter; and The Lacemaker. Each text is rich with layers of meaning and the music complements them beautifully.

Marcelle de Manziarly is a 20th century French composer who studied with Nadia Boulanger. Her Trio (1952) is a delightful jewel with refreshing tonality, innovative melodies and unconventional use of rhythms. Each of the three instruments have great independence throughout the trio as well as major solos. She has great contrast in mood in the piece - a meditative opening movement, a heartbreakingly beautiful third movement, and lively, yet lyrical second and fourth movements.
-- notes by Cindy Woolley

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