Raff: Piano Trios 2 & 3

Both trios were written in Wiesbaden, where Raff spent his life as a freelance composer for 21 years (from 1856 to 1877). In addition to teaching at various schools, he supplemented his salary with piano arrangements of well-known opera melodies and other light music - he called this "writing for the kitchen." In contrast, he usually sold his own creations only for small fees. Writing sophisticated chamber music was a luxury he did not afford himself regularly until the 1960s. And how much he enjoyed this luxury is revealed by the inspired compositional style of our two piano trios. They captivate with an exuberant wealth of ideas that can hardly be forced under the umbrella of established forms. The Trio Opus 8 is again eloquent advocate of these wonderful.