In Her Hands
Neave Trio
Chandos CHAN 20368 (chandos.net/products/reviews/Chan%2020368)
Piano trios by three women whose places in music history range from significant to tangential to obscure receive loving performances from the Neave Trio, ensemble-in-residence at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Trio in G Minor, Op.17 by Clara Schumann (1819-1896), her most substantial composition, naturally embraces the musical language of her husband Robert and friends Mendelssohn and Brahms, but avoids mere imitation. The angst-ridden Allegro moderato, filled with intense longing, is followed by the gentle, graceful Scherzo – Tempo di Menuetto. Clara, who inspired Robert’s innumerable love songs, evokes his romantic sensibility in Andante, a heartfelt love song “without words.” The invigorating Allegretto provides the trio’s “happy ending.”
Now all-but-forgotten, Croatian Dora Pejačević (1885-1923) composed over 100 orchestral, chamber and vocal works before dying of post-childbirth sepsis. Her sunlit Trio No.2 in C Major, Op.29 features, in turn, a sweet, rocking waltz (Allegro con moto), folk-like melodies and rhythms (Scherzo), dreamy sentimentality (Lento) and festive cheerfulness (Allegro resoluto).
Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944) generally considered “a composer of French salon music” – charming, lightweight songs and piano pieces – is slowly regaining the recognition and respect she once enjoyed for her larger-scale compositions, such as her Trio No.2 in A Minor, Op.34. Brilliantly exploiting the varied colours of the three instruments, Allegro moderato kaleidoscopically mixes celebratory grandiloquence, wistful lyricism and sprightly playfulness. Lento is a solemn hymn of hope within despair. Celebration returns in the skittish, rambunctious Allegro energico, ending this very enjoyable work and very enjoyable CD.
