PHILIPP SCHARWENKA (1847-1917): Piano Trios No.1 in C Sharp Minor, Op. 100 and No. 2 in G, Op. 112.

Description: Scharwenka’s Piano Trios are firmly rooted in the German Romantic language of Brahms and his contemporaries, a tight harmonic basis provides sweeping romantic melodies and by times a touching lyricism. The first trio, published by Breitkopf in 1897, unfolds in flowing, measured writing across three movements with a clearly defined formal range. The composition feels like a well-oiled machine, including all the expressive techniques developed over the years in expertly dosed quantities, and sometimes achieving intense – and never long-winded – lyricism. Likewise the Second, published in 1902. Trio Gustav.