Giuseppe Martucci - Piano Trio, No. 1, Op. 59 (1882)

Giuseppe Martucci (Capua, 6 January 1856 – Naples, 1 June 1909) was an Italian composer, conductor, pianist and teacher. As a composer and teacher he was influential in reviving Italian interest in non-operatic music. As a conductor he helped to introduce Wagner’s operas to Italy and also gave important early concerts of English music there. Please support my channel: Piano Trio in C major, Op. 59 (1882) 1. No tempo indication (Allegro giusto) (0:00) 2. Scherzo (no further indication) (10:03) 3. Andante (con moto) (17:04) 4. Finale (Allegro risoluto) (26:36) Trio Vega Marc Paquin, violin; Orfilia Saiz Vega, cello & Domenico Codispoti, piano Details by Edition Silvertrust: Martucci won the 1883 competition sponsored by the Societa del Quartetto of Milan with this work. It is a substantial work of considerable originality which does not remind one of anybody else. It is truly a great pity that this work has not obtained a place in the repertoire. The opening movement, Allegro giusto, opens with a passionate melody in the strings. Written on a big scale, we hear the use of Italian melody expressed in, for that time, a very modern framework. The second movement, a big, lively Scherzo, has a high strung nervousness to it which truly conveys an extreme sense of unrest. An trio section, presents a version of Italian popular music, a zampogna, bagpipe melody. Played with mutes by the strings, it gives off an other-world quality. The Andante con moto which follows opens with a beautiful, melancholy melody, first presented by the cello. As the violin joins in, Martucci creates a fine example of expressive instrumental dialogue. After two pounding chords which clear rivets the listener’s attention, the finale, Allegro risoluto, begins in a very vigorous fashion but then is tempered by a more lyrical second theme.