Ignatius Antonio de Orellana (c.1860-1931)

Nationality: English

Born: c.1860, St. Helier Died: March 19, 1931, London (age 71)

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String Trio in c minor

(for violin, viola and cello)

		I.	Adagio - Allegro ma non troppo
		II.	Andante cantabile
		III.	Menuetto. Quasi Allegro
		IV.	Allegro

From Edition Silvertrust

There is very little information available about the English violinist, conductor, and composer, Ignatius de Orellana (1860-1931). He was born in the town of St. Helier, on the island of Jersey. He studied violin in London and worked as the leader of several London theater orchestras before becoming a conductor of operetta and musical comedies. He was also a composer, though few of his compositions seem to have survived. He wrote the overture to Noel Coward's musical, Bittersweet.

His String Trio in c minor was published in London in the late 1880's. In four movements, the first, Adagio-Allegro ma non troppo, begins with a slow, gloomy baroque-sounding introduction. The main part of the movement has a stormy quality and is full of forward drive. The principal subject of the second movement, Andante cantabile, is a lovely, dignified melody first sung by the viola. Next comes a bright, chirpy Menuetto, quasi allegro. The finale, Allegro, is an energetic, foot-stomping rondo.

This pleasant work makes no grand pretensions. Clearly intended to serve as house music, it succeeds admirably in its goal. Well-written, with grateful parts for all and presenting no technical difficulties, this is a work that amateur trios will certainly enjoy.

glossary

adagio [It]—slow tempo, often implying a lyrical, poignant character
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
ma—but, however
minuet, menuet [F], Menuett [G], menuetto [I], minuetto [I]—A graceful, courtly French dance of the Baroque and Classical period with a triple meter and a moderate tempo.It was introduced at the court of Louis XIV. In classical forms such as the symphony or chamber music, the minuet evolved into the more vigorous scherzo.
quasi—almost, almost like, as if
string trio, Streichtrio [G], Trio d'archi [I], Trio à 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 are 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. Explore the string trio | wiki
trio (1)—an ensemble or work for 3 players
troppo [I], non troppo, trop [F]—too, too much. non troppo means "not too much". e.g. "Allegro ma non troppo" means fast, but not too much