Hidden Gems: July 26, 2026
Hidden Gems is our upcoming concert continuing our theme of presenting piano trios that you may not have heard of before. We start out with some Piazzolla but then go into trios by Louise Farrenc, Niels Wilhelm Gade, and Joaquin Turina. This concert will explore everything from sultry sounds, whimsical moments, to intense rich music truly proving why these piano trios are treasures to the repertoire.
Louise Farrenc (1804-1875)
A famed and successful French concert pianist, Louise Farrenc was the only woman to hold a permanent faculty position at the Paris Conservatory in the 19th century, teaching piano there for 30 years. She composed symphonies, songs, and chamber music, for which she twice won a prestigious prize from the Academie des Beaux Arts.
Key Works
Nonet, op. 38
Symphony no. 3 in g minor
many piano pieces and variations on popular opera arias, showcasing her keyboard mastery
Niels Wilhelm Gade (1817-1890)
Niels Gade was a leading 19th century Danish composer, conductor, violinist, organist, and teacher. He was friends with Mendelssohn and Schumann, who both promoted him and his compositions. He co-directed the Copenhagen Conservatory and thereby influenced and taught another generation of Scandinavian composers, including Edvard Grieg and Carl Nielsen.
Key Works
Piano Trio in F major, op. 42
Echoes of Ossian Overture
several large-scale cantatas for chorus and orchestra, many based on Danish folk stories
Joaquin Turina (1882-1949)
Turina was born in Seville, Spain, and like many musicians of the time, went to Paris to study composition. He became good friends with fellow countrymen Isaac Albeniz and Manuel de Falla. They encouraged him to find inspiration in the popular and folk music of Spain and Andalusia. His studies completed, he moved to Madrid and spent the rest of his life there, teaching and composing, employing a deeply Spanish nationalistic style.
Key Works
Rapsodia sinfonica for piano and orchestra
Fandanguillo for guitar
Piano Trio in b minor, op. 76
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