Bernhard Molique (1802-1869) was born in the German city of Nuremberg. After studying with his father, Molique took lessons from Louis Spohr and Pietro Rovelli. After pursing a career as a touring virtuoso for several years, Molique accepted the position of Music Director to the Royal Court in Stuttgart. He also taught for several years in London at the Royal Academy of Music. As a composer, he was largely self taught. His music shows the influence of Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Spohr. Remembered now only for his violin concertos, he wrote a considerable amount of chamber music including eight string quartets and two piano trios.
His Piano Trio No.1 in g minor, Op.27 dates from 1845. It was a favorite of the famous pianist and conductor Hans von Bülow who, hard as it is to believe, was said to prefer it to those of Schubert. The opening theme to the first movement, Allegro, recalls Beethoven’s Op.59 No.1, probably no accident a Molique was a life long quartet player. There is a lilting second subject. A catchy Scherzo with trio comes next and is followed by an Adagio and a dance-like finale.
