Mendelssohn's Fourth and Beethoven's Triple Concerto

Louise Farrenc - Overture no.1 op.23 E maj., Ludwig van Beethoven - Concerto for piano, violin, cello and orchestra op.56 in C maj. 'Triple Concerto', Felix Mendelssohn - Fourth Symphony 'Italian'. Programme Louise Farrenc Overture no.1 op.23 E maj. Ludwig van Beethoven Concerto for piano, violin, cello and orchestra op.56 in C maj. 'Triple Concerto' Felix Mendelssohn Fourth Symphony 'Italian' 'Superior', 'breathtaking' and 'an unceasing stream of spirituality, inventiveness, passion and lyricism'. These are just a few phrases that appear in reviews of Beethoven's Triple Concerto by the Van Baerle Trio. Whether they play Beethoven's chamber music masterpiece live or on record, it remains an experience. With Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony as a radiant counterpart, all musical sensibilities are tickled. Puzzle Why Beethoven wrote his only concerto for multiple instruments in 1803 remains a mystery. Beethoven biographer Anton Schindler claims that Beethoven wrote the Triple Concerto for his then young student and later mainstay Archduke Rudolf. A relatively simple piano part by Beethoven's standards flanked by demanding string parts. Appearances are deceptive, because the concerto contains large-scale chamber music at the highest level. Highly Praised After the highly praised series of recordings of Beethoven's piano trios and his Triple Concerto, the Van Baerle Trio has become almost synonymous with the composer. Not only nationally, but also internationally. A unique achievement. Pianist Hannes Minnaar, violist Maria Milstein and cellist Gideon den Herder have meanwhile established very impressive solo careers, but have also managed to maintain their trio, founded in 2004, at the highest level for well over twenty years.