Theodor Kirchner

Kindertrios op. 58 - Skizzen

The Children's Trios op. 58 are an alternative version of the pieces for grandchildren WoO for piano (new edition: E.D. 30805). The compositions were written during Kirchner's years in Leipzig, where he worked as a piano teacher and freelance composer from 1876 to 1883. It is not possible to determine which of the two versions was composed first. However, the trio version is more extensive: two pieces were expanded and two new ones added. The pieces are written for "children" or "grandchildren", but this does not mean that they are easy to play. Although the technical requirements are limited, Kirchner makes the usual high demands on musical imagination and flexibility. However, most of the pieces are short and straightforward and present Kirchner as a master of miniatures. Harmonic, rhythmic and polyphonic registers are pulled out in the smallest of spaces, waiting to be discovered. These are valuable and consistently inspired pieces, suitable for teaching, where romantic chamber music pieces for lower and middle school are in short supply. (Jürg Löffler)