Program

Haydn: Piano Trio No. 39 in G Major, “Gypsy”
Mozart: Piano Quartet in E-flat Major
Saint-Saëns: Piano Quartet No. 2 in B-flat Major

We begin the Heritage series with a brief history of piano and strings, and the composers that adored the combination. Haydn, encouraged by a beloved student, crafted an exceptional trio that begins with classical elegance and ends in the most uproarious fun he could fit in three minutes time. Mozart, a master of the piano concerto, had no difficulties distilling the very best of his ensemble work down to a quartet of exceptional worth. Finally, Saint-Saëns' Piano Quartet No. 2, written over seventy-five years after Mozart, embraces the true color combinations possible within the instruments, creating a dreamy, joyful, and adventure-filled work that delights more with each passing minute.