Georges Onslow: Piano Trios (2006)

George Onslow is one of those composers whose fame unfortunately faded after his death. As a further insult to his reputation, even by the end of his career, the renown of his music was eclipsed by that of Beethoven's, Mendelssohn's, and others. At a time when large stage and orchestral works were all the rage in France, his strength was his chamber music -- especially string quartets and quintets -- which is most frequently compared to that of Beethoven, which, in turn, explains why he was more well known in Germany and ... Read More

George Onslow is one of those composers whose fame unfortunately faded after his death. As a further insult to his reputation, even by the end of his career, the renown of his music was eclipsed by that of Beethoven's, Mendelssohn's, and others. At a time when large stage and orchestral works were all the rage in France, his strength was his chamber music -- especially string quartets and quintets -- which is most frequently compared to that of Beethoven, which, in turn, explains why he was more well known in Germany and Austria than in his home country. The New Grove says Onslow's music was never widely popular in France because it was considered "erudite and serious." However, the performance here of two of his 10 piano trios by Trio Bamberg, while not quite the opposite of "erudite and serious," does present Onslow's music as well written for the ensemble; balanced between formal, Classical elegance and Romantic emotionalism; and even occasionally playful. Both trios seem to follow a pattern of... Read Less