Vladimir Dyck (1882-1943) was born in the then Russian now Ukrainian city of Odessa. He showed early ability on the piano and when Tchaikovsky came to the city in 1893, it is thought that Dyck was one of many of the so-called 'wunderkind children' whose parents accosted Tchaikovsky begging him to listen to and evaluate their child's playing. If so, nothing came of it. However, the following year, when Rimsky Korsakov came to Odessa to conduct a memorial concert for Tchaikovsky, Dyck met and played for him. Korsakov encouraged Dyck's father to continue his son's musical education. But when Dyck came to St Petersburg a few years later, Korsakov suggested that the young man continue his studies in Paris. He provided Dyck with a letter of introduction and that along with Dyck's audition was enough for him to gain admission to the Paris Conservatory in 1899 where he studied harmony with Antoine Taudou and composition with Charles-Marie Widor. After graduating, he pursued a career as a composer, initially writing classical compositions but later concentrating on writing music for silent films.
His Piano Trio in c minor, Op.25 was an early work completed in 1908 and published two years later. It was dedicated to Antoine Taudou and shows the influence of the conservative tastes of his teachers. The first movement opens with a rather dramatic, ominous and despairing Largo sostenuto introduction. The main section, Allegro ma non troppo, is full of a sense of restless yearning. The second movement, Scherzo allegretto grazioso, while not exactly playful, it is much lighter and graceful. The Andante sostenuto which follows opens dramatically much the same way as the introduction to the first movement, but quickly gives way to a very lyrical song without words. The finale, Allegro con brio, is full of energy, and has an heroic atmosphere to the thematic material which is interspersed with beautiful lyrical episodes.
This is truly a first class work from start to finish. It makes one wish that Dyck had written more chamber music. It is sure to make a strong impression upon audiences who are lucky enough to hear it in the concert hall. It can also be recommended to experienced amateur players.