Piano Trio by Charles Ives
For Violin, Cello, and Piano
Published by Peer Music
Charles Ives (1874-1954) was the first American composer to gain international recognition. He was a maverick of his time, forging a highly original style and introducing modernist concepts and techniques in his music that would become commonplace much later in the century. His music is intellectual, yet experimental and instinctive, often drawing from hymn tunes and popular music. Largely ignored during much of his career, he is now regarded as one of the greatest American composers who ever lived.
His highly original Piano Trio (1911, rev. 1915) was evidently drawn from memories of his student days at Yale and is full of American folk tunes and college fraternity and glee club songs. His gift for melody is apparent in the extended solos of the first movement and the sunny lyricism of the last movement. The centerpiece, however, is the raucous and witty scherzo, titled TSIAJ--This Scherzo Is A Joke. Polytonality, irregular rhythms, and timbral experimentation combine in this wild collage of American music, making it one of the most outrageous and original entries in the piano trio repertory. Includes piano score and parts for violin and cello. For advanced players.
