New York Classical Players (3/11/23)

Alice Chenyang Xu, piano; Abi Fayette, violin; Maren Rothfritz, viola; Madeline Fayette, cello 

The All Beethoven Program
Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97, “Archduke”
Viola and Cello Duet in E flat major, WoO 32, “Eyeglasses Duo”
Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70 No. 1, “Ghost”
(Please note, I have re-created the punctuation from the printed program.) 

A spokesperson (uncredited) from the Library for the Performing Arts, shared with us that LPA has some sketches from the first work on the program in its archives, and showed some on a screen. They were wild. Major chicken scratches. We were told that they meant something to the mind of Beethoven. We were also told that the work was composed in 1811. There was no listing of movements, so I did some searching. It was in four movements, with the second being a scherzo (quick/joke), and the third being a slower movement, before the finale. TMI? I liked the work, though I found the very beginning a little disjointed (writing? playing?). Once it settled in, it was quite enjoyable. 

On to the second work. What the heck is WoO? Well, I learned that it is nomenclature for Beethoven works (and some other composers) for “Works without Opus” numbers. Why the duet is WoO 32 is beyond my ken. AnyhoO, the one-movement piece for viola and cello, though it suffered from a little disconnect as in the first work, was slightly jaunty and a little playful, including a false ending. 

The “Ghost” trio (and once again, no one really knows where the nickname came from) had a boisterous first movement opening, with fuller writing (to me) than the “Archduke.” A very brisk tempo, a lovely contrasting section, and a boisterous ending rounded out the movement. The second movement was calm—almost eerie (ghost-like?). The third movement was bright and cheerful, with full sound, and full writing which was a little more formulaic, but I liked that. 

All in all, a wonderful afternoon of chamber music.

ConcertMeister