On the trail of Brahms
Richard Lane and John Frith have written trios for violin, horn and piano inspired by what is probably the best-known work for this instrumentation.
When one speaks of a horn trio, one immediately thinks of the famous Opus 40 by Johannes Brahms, which inspired György Ligeti in the eighties of the last century to write his groundbreaking trio Hommage à Brahms to compose. Composers of "moderate modernism" also repeatedly attempted to follow in Brahms' footsteps. These included Charles Koechlin with his dreamy preciousness Quatre petites Pièces op. 32 by the English composer Lennox Berkeley and the Australian Don Banks, who contributed something enriching to this genre.
Edition Bim, the commendably active publisher of brass music in western Switzerland, has published a trio for violin, horn and piano by the American Richard Lane (1933-2004), who wrote a whole series of works for orchestra, wind orchestra and solo pieces for wind instruments. The eleven-minute trio appeals with its lively interplay between the three instruments and free, lyrical sections in the Adagio of the second movement.
The Englishman John Frith brings his love of the Brahms trio to his new work for the same instrumentation. Still a practicing horn player, he knows the tonal advantages of his instrument, which he places here in the best-sounding register to the other instruments.
Richard Lane: Trio, for violin, horn and piano, score and parts MCX75, Fr. 25.00, Editions Bim, Vuarmarens
John Frith: Horn Trio, for violin, horn and piano, E717, £ 17.95, June Emerson Wind Music, Ampleforth
