Flute-Cello-Piano Trio Repertoire: Bigger than You Might Imagine

Flute-cello-piano (FCP) trios are relatively uncommon. Possibly the most frequently performed piece is Carl Maria von Weber’s Op. 63. But the FCP trio sonic palette is an interesting one, though, and the literature is more extensive than you might imagine.

For the person who emailed me asking about FCP trios, especially newer or less commonly-played ones, here is a list. I come up with more than 50. But probably I have missed some—I only spent an afternoon compiling this at home. I have not plowed through a conservatory’s library, only Google and the books listed in the links at the bottom of this post.

Beyond the ‘What to play for senior recital?’ question that led me to put up this list, there are surely other purposes and occasions where these pieces might receive more frequent performance and recording.

A Dieter Acker Trio II (1974) William Alwyn Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano Paul Arma Divertimento II (1951) Richard Arnell Trio, Op. 64 B Johann Christian Bach Six Sonatas, Op. 2 Sven-Erik Bäck Sentirè Richard Rodney Bennett Commedia (1972) C Muzio Clementi Trio, Op. 22 George Crumb Trio (‘Voice of the Whale’, [amplified and masked] Flute, Cello, and Piano) D Norman Dello Joio Trio (1944) Friedhelm Döhl Sotto Voce (1973) Johann Dussek Grand Sonata, Op. 65 F Elisendra Fabregas Voces de mi Tierra Louise Farrenc Trio, Op. 45 Jean Françaix Trio (1995) G Phillippe Gaubert Serenade (‘Three Water Colors’, No. 3) Adalbert Gyrowetz Divertissement for piano, flute & cello in A Major, Op 50 H Dietrich Hahne Four Tunes Franz Joseph Haydn Three Trios Klaviertrio No. 30 Mogens Winkel Holm Transitions II (1973) Katherine Hoover Lyric Trio Klaus Huber Ascensus (1979) Johann Nepomuk Hummel Adagio, Variations & Rondo, Op. 78 J Knud Jeppesen Summer Trio (1957) K Elena Kats-Chernin Colours of the Sea: Trio Flute, Cello & Piano Joseph Kennedy, Jr. Dialogue for Flute, Cello & Piano Konradin Kreutzer Trio Grande Sonate, Op. 28 Friedrich Kuhlau Trio Concertante, Op. 119 L John Lessard Trio Lowell Liebermann Trios I & II Otto Luening Trio I Erik Lund Raccontini M Marcelle de Manziarly Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano Bohuslav Martinů Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano Karl J. Marx Trio, Op. 61 Wilfred Mellers Trio (1962) Akira Myoshi Sonate (1966) N Stefan Nicolescu Triplum (1971) P Ignaz Pleyel Sonate, Op. 16 R Günther Raphael Trio-Suite, Op. 44 Amédée Rasetti Trios, Op. 13 Elizabeth Raum Cinderella Suite Scott Roller Trio Set Ned Rorem Trio (1960) S Elliott Schwartz Trio Leland Smith Trio (1947) Harvey Sollberger Divertimento (1970) Manfred Stahnke Ritus Wolfgang Steffen Trio, Op. 37 T Hilary Tann Gardens of Anna Maria Luisa de Medici Leifur Thorarinsson Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano W Carl Maria von Weber Trio, Op. 63 Stefan Wolpe Trio (1963) Charles Wuorinen Trios I, II & III (1961)

The Jean Françaix trio is one that I had never before heard, until taking up the CMT reader-emailer’s question. Have a listen:

    [Jean Françaix, FCP Trio (1995), 8.1MB MP3 at ‘Piano-Mad’ website]

Not sure what to say about that one. It makes me feel dizzy to listen to it. How does it feel when performing it, I wonder? Does the room spin? The effect is striking...

• ClassicalLounge.com
  
• Meininger Trio
  
• Hinson M, Roberts W. The Piano in Chamber Ensemble. Indiana Univ, 2006. pp. 453ff
  
• Horne A. Woodwind Music of Black Composers. Greenwood, 1990.
  
• Houser R. Catalogue of Chamber Music for Woodwind Instruments. Da Capo, 1973.
  
• Secrist-Schmedes B. Wind Chamber Music. Indiana Univ, 1996.
  
• Voxman H, Merriman L. Woodwind Music Guide. Instrumentalist, 1982.