Dotzauer, J. J. F. – Trio for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Op. 180

Throughout his composing career, Dotzauer experimented with a plethora of chamber music settings: from the most basic solo instrument with piano accompaniment to the string quartet (25 exemplars), from solo woodwind with string trio to quartet with two cellos and several vocal settings.

One piece, though, was missing to make his puzzle complete: a chamber piece where the piano would’ve been the main actor. Dotzauer eventually completed his quest with the last chamber piece he would ever write, in 1851 (aged 68): a majestic Trio for piano, violin, and cello (Op. 180).

This monumental, 32-minute-long piece in four movements, is dedicated to his elder son Bernhard (1808-74), piano virtuoso and chamber music teacher in Hamburg from 1835.

Dotzauer’s passion for counterpoint that traverses all his production can be found here as well, especially in the Finale whose theme is based on a fugue. The third movement, especially, shows a usage of harmony whose chromaticism predates much more blazoned composers by about 25 years. This should come as no surprise, though: Dotzauer was first solo cello in the Dresden Court Opera where both Wagner’s Rienzi and The Flying Dutchman were premiered (1841-2). His curiosity and talent in writing did the rest.

This edition represents the first modern publication of the Trio, and includes a detailed introduction and analysis alongside Critical Notes that list all editorial choices. The separate string parts include the original bowing and fingering suggestions by Dotzauer.

A free excerpt including the Exposition of the first movement will be gifted to everyone who joins (or is part of) my mailing list (https://bit.ly/3ujFa4j) or to any professional trio who would like to give this a try (contact here: https://artisticscoreengraving.com/contacts/).

For the first time, this piece will be available exclusively in printed form until a publicly documented performance and a recording are realised.

After that, a digital version will be released.

The Editorial Notes will be available as a free download in this product page.

Feel free to give a tip, even at a later stage, if you find this material of any value to you.

In the meantime, you can listen to how each of its movements sound in these videos:

I. Allegro non troppo

II. Andante cantabile

III. Scherzo: Allegro non tanto — Trio — Scherzo

IV. Finale: Allegro