Piano Trios

“In the chamber style, between four walls and with few instruments, the true musician shows himself…,” Schumann asserted in 1842, almost in an act of self-legitimization among the most distinguished composers, when, after composing a few works with larger chamber ensembles, he switched to Trios and Sonatas for violin and piano, consecrating himself to the genre. Alongside works in sonata form, there are also others conceived more freely, full of extramusical suggestions, such as the “Fantasiestücke op. 88” presented on this double CD. From a formal point of view, the Trios, which are recorded here in their entirety (in addition to the famous Trio from op 63, therefore, also op. 80 and the late op. 110), while harkening back to the classical model, are nourished with daring novelties and unusual content, a true privileged gateway to the complexity of Schumann’s poetic world. Completing the integral project, masterfully introduced by Luigia Mossini, are the previously unpublished Sechs Stücke in kanonischer Form op.56 in the transcription by Theodor Kirchner, (1823-1903), passionately close to Schumann’s musical circles and also transcriber of numerous Lieder.
Recorded at the Teatro Valli in Reggio Emilia at the end of the important anniversary year of 2010, this double CD is also a testament to the admirable work of in-depth study and interpretation of Schumanni’s work, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of his birth, by the Parma Trio at the conclusion of a busy touring season.