i Allegro con fuoco, ii Andante, iii Presto
The Concertstück Op 113 was originally called ‘The Battle of Prague’, for Mendelssohn used as his principal theme the melody of that name by František Koczwara (c1750–1791) which was popular in the early years of the nineteenth century. Mendelssohn could well have heard the tune while on one of his visits to Britain. However, he later deleted the name in favour of ‘Concertstück’.
i Andante, ii Menuetto, iii Rondeaux: Allegretto
Mozart wrote the piano trio on 10 sheets in Vienna and dated the manuscript on 5 August 1786. The German word Kegelstatt means “a place where skittles are played”, akin to a duckpin bowling alley. Mozart wrote that he composed the 12 Duos for Two (French) Horns (not basset horns as is commonly thought), K. 487, “while playing skittles”; on the first page of the autograph manuscript of K. 487, Mozart inscribed the following: “Wienn den 27.t Jullius 1786 untern Kegelscheiben” (Vienna, 27 July 1786 while playing skittles). A week and a half later, Mozart composed and dated the trio E♭ K. 498. He entered this work into his list of compositions simply as: “Ein Terzett für klavier, Clarinett und Viola” (A trio for piano, clarinet and viola). There is no evidence that Mozart gave any nickname to the K. 498 trio; the moniker Kegelstatt first appears ascribed to the K. 498 trio in Ludwig von Köchel’s 1862 thematic catalogue of Mozart’s music.
iii Allegrissimo
Composed in 1973, this is a three movement piece, of which we will hear the third movement
Amberg Trio (Clarinet Trio)
The Amberg Trio was formed in 2019, with three like-minded musicians determined to bring the beautiful trio repertoire for cello, clarinet and piano to as many people as possible. With magnificent pieces by Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven, as well as many others and some beautiful vignettes that they arranged themselves during the COVID pandemic, they have programmes to suit all likes and tastes!
Alongside their trio commitments, they are all busy with solo recitals and orchestral work across the country, as well as being heavily involved in education.
They have performed all over the country and have been praised wherever they have performed. Simon Davies from Katherine Concerts Ampthill said: The Amberg’s impeccable ensemble and communication between the three musicians was impressive.... they had the audience completely enthralled.
Bob Bryan from St Brides in London said: It was the ideal recital, with beautiful playing of a well-chosen programme, all presented with clear, informative and entertaining spoken introductions. Can we talk about a return visit?
Christopher Benham, having begun his musical education as a chorister at Wymondham Abbey, continued his musical studies at the Colchester Institute School of Music where he studied piano with Robert Bell and organ with Ian Ray. After graduating, he joined the Institute’s staff as a piano accompanist. He trained for the teaching profession and subsequently held posts in Harlow and Hertford. Concurrently he was appointed Organist and Director of Music at All Saints’ Church, Hertford where he continued to develop the strong choral tradition and introduced a regular lunchtime concert series. He continues to accompany instrumental and vocal recitals throughout East Anglia and is currently the organist and piano teacher at St Edmund’s College, Ware.
Lawrence Durkin combines teaching with performing as a chamber and orchestral cellist.
He completed his studies with Leonid Gorokhov at the Royal College of Music where he received First-Class honours. He has worked with the Chilingirian and Bochmann Quartets and has performed on Radio 3 with works by Mark-Anthony Turnage.
Lawrence currently teaches at St Georges College in Surrey and The Latymer School in Edmonton. He is enormously passionate about encouraging players of all ages to discover and develop their own talent and musicianship.
David Kirby studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest. While there, he studied with György Kurtág and gave performances of Krommer’s Double Concerto with the internationally renowned soloist Kálmán Berkes as well as recitals at the major artistic venues in Hungary. For more than twenty years David has been busy with recitals throughout Britain, Europe and America.
Since being awarded his PhD by the Royal College of Music, this international prize-winning clarinettist has performed the great Mozart Concerto at St John’s Smith Square on several occasions and has presented world premiere performances of a variety of pieces including three, where he was the dedicatee, from the esteemed British composer Brian Chapple.
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