Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano

Composer's Note

The piano trio was inspired by the many performances I heard by the Alma Trio, whose pianist, Adolph Baller was a colleague while I was conducting and teaching at Stanford. While I was composing my trio in Vienna in 1956, the Hungarian Revolution began. I became acquainted with a young Hungarian refugee, a violinist, and dedicated the third movement to Hungary — Magyaroknak, 1956. This is a slow movement which begins with a rhapsodic violin solo in a style that I hope is reminiscent of Bartók.

The fourth movement is a Theme and Variations with a novel twist: material from each of the preceding movements is reworked within the structure of the fourth movement subject.

Because of its association with Vienna and my experiences there, the piano trio has a special place in my musical memories.

Press

[American Arts Trio] “Mechem’s piano trio was vital and alive, with wonderful and complicated rhythms and considerable melodic beauty. It was obviously very interesting to play and the enthusiasm of the performers communicated through the performance.”
— Kent County News

“Filled with melody, long sweeping lines, solemnity and intensity, it is an impressive work.”
— Independent Journal, San Rafael CA