Julius Röntgen-Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 50 (1908)

Julius Röntgen

(9 May 1855 – 13 September 1932) was a German-Dutch composer of classical music.

 

Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 50 (1908)

Dedicated to Carl Nielsen

1. Allegro non troppo e serioso (0:00​) 2. Andante (7:35​) 3. Allegro non troppo (14:21​)

Alexander Kerr, violin; Gregor Horsch, cello & Sepp Grotenhuis, piano

 

In 1870, at the age of 14, Julius Röntgen visited Franz Liszt in Weimar; after playing piano for him he was invited to a soiree at Liszt's house. In Leipzig, he and his parents were part of the musical circle around Heinrich von Herzogenberg, and it was at their house that he first met Brahms. Later Röntgen moved to Munich, where he studied piano under Franz Lachner, a friend of Franz Schubert. At the age of 18 he became a professional pianist. During a concert tour through southern Germany he became acquainted with the singer Julius Stockhausen; at this time he also met a Swedish music student Amanda Maier, whom he would marry in 1880.

In 1883, in association with composers Frans Coenen and Daniel de Lange, Röntgen founded the Amsterdam Conservatory. In 1884 Röntgen was heavily involved in the foundation of the Concertgebouw. He also was close friends with Johannes Brahms and performed his 2nd Concerto in 1887 with Brahms conducting. Röntgen's travels and concerts made him a well known musical figure in Europe his friend's circle included Edvard Grieg, Johannes Brahms, Niels Gade, Carl Nielsen, David Tovey, Pablo Casals, Johannes Messchaert, Percy Grainger, etc. etc.