Pleasing discovery for piano trio
The pianist Katharina Sellheim has not only recorded Emilie Mayer's piano trios, including the great E flat major trio, but has also published them for the first time.
Emilie Mayer (1812-1883) was a successful composer in her time. She lived in Mecklenburg and Berlin. Her works include symphonies, concert overtures, a singspiel, four-part choral pieces, piano and chamber music. Despite performances in numerous major European cities in the 19th century, most of her compositions remained unpublished.
The pianist Katharina Sellheim came across the unpublished manuscripts of the four piano trios and recorded three of them on CD with her Hannover Piano Trio (Missing Link: Emilie MayerGenuin 22790). Now, assisted by the members of her ensemble, she is in charge of publishing at Furore-Verlag Kassel.
Her efforts pay off: Emilie Mayer's piano trios radiate freshness and vitality; the composer was a master of her craft. Stylistically, this music lies between Beethoven and Mendelssohn. Anyone who goes on a treasure hunt, playing or listening, away from the main pillars of the repertoire and the "great" masters will make a delightful discovery with the Piano Trio in E flat major. Works by female composers of the 19th century are also rarely found in concert programs. Wrongly so, as Emilie Mayer shows us here!
In terms of playing technique, this piano trio is also accessible to experienced amateurs. It is less difficult than the works by Beethoven and Schubert. All instruments, especially the violoncello, can develop beautifully.
Emilie Mayer: Piano trio in E flat major, for violin, violoncello and piano, edited by Katharina Sellheim, score and parts, fue 10346, € 69.00, Furore, Kassel
