String Trio

Colin Anderson, Classical Source

The best (and longest) piece was the 22-minute String Trio of James Francis Brown, a mix of Stravinsky neo-classicism, Beethovenian strength and Mozartian grace; a sonata-form movement followed by a set of variations. There's an appreciable craft and imagination to Brown's music and a warm communication that makes this work one to return to, and a wish to hear more of Brown's music.

The String Trio is in two movements, the first of which is, loosely speaking, in sonata form with strongly contrasting subjects. Two main ideas dominate this movement. The first is quick and vigorous, whilst the second is more reflective and rhythmically free.

The second movement is a set of six variations. They are all strongly marked from each other in terms of tempo and figuration, and whilst first and last variations are perhaps optimistic in tone, the central variations, in particular the fourth, represent the darker aspects of the material. Beethoven's String Trio in C minor Op 9 No 3 with its grim energy and fantastic yet sombre colours was a powerful influence here, and I could not resist taking possession of a fragment from the first movement which seemed so akin in spirit to my own music at this point.

The String Trio was commissioned by the Deal Festival and first performed by the Leopold String Trio at the Deal Festival on 9 August 1996.

Click a score sample below to view a larger version of the score...

1st movement: opening pages

2nd movement (var. I): opening pages

Performance: String Trio No.1

Thursday 20th June 2019, 7pm

Part of Hertfordshire Festival of Music 2019.

Eblana String Trio | Friends Meeting House, 50 Railway Street, Hertford SG14 1BA

Works:  String Trio

Performance: String Trio

Friday 13th October 2017

Part of the William Alwyn Festival 2017.

Eblana String Trio | Holy Trinity Church, Blythburgh | More info

Works:  String Trio

Review: Prospero's Isle CD

Posted on: Saturday 15th September 2012

"Seldom does one hear new music that marries such daunting technical skill and virtuosic demands with so much ease and life-affirming joy"
Mark Lehmann, American Record Guide

View CD details and read full review...

Works:  Piano Quartet | Prospero's Isle | String Trio | Violin Sonata

Prospero's Isle - Guild releases composer portrait CD

Saturday 16th July 2011

Read more...

"The four works on this CD demonstrate beyond question the vital role tonal music has to play in today's culture and reflect the composer's close association with some of the most talented and celebrated international artists, many of whom gave the world premieres of these works.
This selection of James Francis Brown's exciting, visionary and emotionally rewarding chamber music is captured for the first time on this recording. This is a tour de force of contemporary virtuosity and lyrical intensity." Guild Web review

Works:  Piano Quartet | Prospero's Isle | String Trio | Violin Sonata

Performance: String Trio

Thursday 15th April 2010

Nelson String Trio | Aylsham Parish Church

Works:  String Trio

Performance: String Trio

Saturday 21st March 2009

Lendvai Trio | John Innes Centre, Norwich

Works:  String Trio

Performance: String Trio

Saturday 14th March 2009

Lendvai Trio | St Christopher's Church, Haslemere

Works:  String Trio

Performance: String Trio

Sunday 15th February 2009

Lendvai Trio | King's Place, London

Works:  String Trio

Performance: String Trio

Sunday 8th February 2009

Lendvai Trio | Varberg's Teater, Varberg, Sweden

Works:  String Trio

Performance: String Trio

Wednesday 21st January 2009

Lendvai Trio | Radlett Centre

Works:  String Trio

Performance: String Trio

Thursday 24th November 2005

Leopold String Trio | Wigmore Hall

Works:  String Trio

Performance: String Trio

Tuesday 22nd November 2005

Leopold String Trio | Turner Simms Concert Hall

Works:  String Trio

Performance: String Trio

Wednesday 9th November 2005

Leopold String Trio | 22 Mansfield Street

Works:  String Trio

Performance: String Trio

Sunday 25th September 2005

Winkelman, Kangas, Gemma Rosefield, cello | Community Arts Centre, Marazion

Works:  String Trio

Performance: String Trio

Saturday 24th September 2005

Winkelman, Kangas, Gemma Rosefield, cello | Porth-en-alls, Prussia Cove

Works:  String Trio

World Premiere: String Trio

Friday 9th August 1996

Part of the Deal Festival.

Leopold String Trio | St Clement's Church, Sandwich, Kent

Works:  String Trio