Ignaz Pleyel (1757-1831) was an Austrian composer, music publisher and piano builder, and studied composition with Joseph Haydn. He was a prolific composer, writing at least 42 symphonies, 70 string quartets and several operas and, although famous and successful in his own time, his music is unjustly neglected today. Pleyel worked in Italy and London, lived and worked in Strasbourg for a number of years, eventually settling in Paris in 1795, where he founded a music shop and publishing house.
The popularity of his music in his own lifetime probably made him one of the most famous composers throughout Europe and beyond, and a Pleyel Society was
founded in the whaling port of Nantucket (Massachusetts, USA) in 1822. His music has been described as “of exceptional quality, harmonically rich, structurally
inventive and with highly original themes.!
Pleyel’s Trio in G major is a bright and vibrant work and was arranged for viola, violoncello and double bass by the Czech bassist-composer Adolf…
Pleyel’s Trio in G major is a bright and vibrant work and was arranged for viola, violoncello and double bass by the Czech bassist-composer Adolf Lotter. In four contrasting movements, there are solos for each player, with the double bass part being far more than simply a continuo role, and this would be effective as recital repertoire or simply as fun and accessible music to play with friends.
A manuscript of the trio was discovered in the archive of Adolf Lotter, acquired by David Heyes some years ago and, on closer inspection it is probably an elaboration of the original trio with tasteful and elegant embellishments and additions composed by Lotter.
The transcription is effective and accessible to the intermediate ensemble and this first edition includes parts for viola or violin.