Both celebrated for their genius as keyboard virtuosi, Franz Liszt and Camille Saint-Saens were two composers with a breadth of tremendous repertoire often overlooked. What’s even more surprising to many is that Liszt and Saint-Saens were colleagues who shared a profound mutual admiration. This is so beautifully embodied in Saint-Saens’ 1910 adaptation of Liszt’s “Orpheus” for piano trio, originally Liszt’s most glowingly contemplative symphonic poem. Coupled with that is Saint-Saens’ first piano trio in F Major, a sparkling and richly coloured work which he wrote just before turning 30. Mendelssohn’s celebrated C Minor Piano Trio offers the perfect response to this pair of works, exemplifying the expert classical training that Saint-Saens’ music always exhibits, the drama Liszt was known for around the world, and the depth of expression shared by all three musical icons.
Complete Program:
Franz Liszt/Camille Saint-Saëns “Orpheus” for piano trio Camille Saint-Saëns Piano Trio No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18 FelixMendelssohn Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66
