Loewe:
Grand Trio op. 12

Beriot:
Piano Trio No. 2 op. 58

In his lifetime Carl Loewe’s songs and ballads were so well known for some to call him the "Schubert of North Germany". But he wrote also operas, oratories concertos and some chamber music. Among this there is one only piano trio of 1830, recorded here for the first time. It was given the opus No. 12 and, in accordance with contemporary tastes, called Grand Trio. Mention Charles de Bériot’s name to professional violinists, and their eyes light up as they talk about him; but pianists, with their inevitably more “broadband” knowledge will merely scratch their heads in perplexity. Even dedicated lovers of music have long since forgotten this Charles Auguste de Bériot (if they ever knew of him) … His sophisticated violin studies are still alive, in both class and concert hall; one of his violin concertos or the caprice Le Tremolo are also occasionally heard (mostly in French-speaking countries). On this recording of chamber works, is included his Deuxieme Trio pour Piano, Violon et Violoncelle Op. 58. It may come as a pleasant change for the listener to succumb to the charm of music composed in a lighter, more entertaining vein.