Franz Maria D'Alquen (1804-1877)

Nationality: German

Born: April 27, 1804, Arnsberg Died: August 28, 1877 (age 73)

imslp

String Trio in C major

(for violin, viola and cello)

		I.	Lento - Allegro moderato
		II.	Andante cantabile
		III.	Scherzo. Allegro
		IV.	Finale. Allegro grazioso

Composed: 1849 (age 44-45)

Published: 1850, Robert Cocks & Co (age 45-46)

Dedication: Captain Newbery

From Edition Silvertrust

Franz d’Alquen (1804-1877) was born in the German town of Arnsberg in the province of Westphalia. He and his pianist brother Friedrich, who is somewhat better known, emigrated to London around 1830 where he remained the rest of his life. His String Trio in C Major which was brought out by the London publisher Robert Cocks & Co in 1850 a year after it was composed is an example of this kind of composition. It is well-written for all three voices, has appealing melodies and presents no technical difficulties.

The trio opens with a somber Lento introduction which leads to a genial Allegro moderato. The second movement, a lyrical Andante cantabile, is full of charm and has a vocal quality. Next comes a brisk Allegro scherzo with nicely contrasting trio section. The finale is an effortlessly flowing Allegro grazioso.

glossary

allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
cantabile, cantate, cantando—singing, lyrical, flowing
chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
finale [I], final [F]—The final movement, sometimes explicitly titled thus
grazioso [I], con grazia, gratioso, graziös [G], Mit Grazie—graceful, gracefully; easy
lento, lent [F], lentement [F], avec lenteur [F]—slow (tempo)
moderato [I], moderamente, modéré [F], modérément [F]—moderately, at a moderate tempo, applying a touch of restraint to its related word(s), e.g. allegro moderato
scherzo—lively, brisk, typically in a triple meter; usually a three-part form with central, contrasting trio
string trio, Streichtrio [G], Trio d'archi [I], Trio de cordes [F], Trío de cuerdas [S] —a work for three stringed instruments, most commonly violin, viola and cello. A more rarefied form than the string quartet perhaps because the texture is sparse (each instrument highly exposed) and the means more difficult for natural harmonic richness. But these become challenges and assets in the great trios. Trios almost always emphasize countrapuntal writing with each of the three players in strong relief.
trio (1)—an ensemble or work for 3 players