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The Stadler Trio was
formed in 1986 specially to perform the numerous works by Mozart
for three basset horns (low-pitched, alto clarinets very popular in the late
18th century). Since that time, they have made concert tours around the
world, from the Sydney Opera House to the Amsterdam Concertgebouw,
and Tokyo to New York, receiving great critical acclaim.
Their programs feature mainly the works for three basset horns by Mozart,
but their research in Europe´s libraries has led to discovery of a
large body of fascinating music for basset horn trio by other
composers. These include original pieces by Anton Stadler (Mozart´s
clarinettist, after whom the trio is named), Druschetzky, Nudera and Rosetti, as well as numerous arrangements
of arias from operas by Mozart, Martín i Soler and Paisello.
Additionally, the Stadler Trio often invites along three singers
in order to perform Mozart´s incomparable "Notturni":
six works for soprano, mezzo and bass, accompanied by three basset horns,
set mainly to poems by Metastasio.
Programmes for concerts of the Stadler Trio are rich in variety
and texture. The ensemble has the rather unusual quality of being
comprised of three identical instruments. However, each player generally
stays within one particular range of its 4 octaves, so the effect is not
unlike that of a string trio. Generally, two of the five-movement "divertimenti"
by Mozart (KV 439b) are performed, as well as some duets, KV 487,
and arrangements of arias from The Marriage of Figaro. On top of
that are added the "Notturni" with singers, or works of
Anton Stadler or Georg Druschetzky. Recent programmes have
also featured sections with pitting Mozart´s music against that
of another composer, such as Martín i Soler. And although a
comparison like this might be thought to amplify Mozart´s
well-deserved reputation, the comparison is not always as unkind as one
might think!
All three musicians are prominent in their fields, and
specialists in performing on period instruments. Their activities also
include taking part in the most prominent early music ensembles in
Europe, including Frans Brüggen´s Orchestra of the 18th Century
and its recording of Mozart´s Gran Partita, KV 361
(Philips 422338-2).
The Stadler Trio´s first compact disc also appeared on the Philips
label with the title "Mozart: Basset horn bon bons, Stadler
Trio and friends" (Philips 446106). Their second disc included more
music of Mozart as well as some anonymous arrangements of opera
arias and the quartet for clarinet and three basset horns,
KV 580a in a new completion by Carles Riera. In 1999 their latest disc was released, again to great
critical acclaim. For this project, the members travelled to remote
eastern Slovakia, where the museum of the Krasna Horka Castle
houses a unique set of three basset horns, made by Theodor Lotz
in Vienna c. 1790, specially for performing basset horn trios.
Lotz was a friend and colleague of both Mozart and Stadler, and is
perhaps best known for having constructed Stadler´s basset clarinet
for which Mozart composed his incomparable clarinet concerto,
KV 622. The museum invited the Stadler Trio to restore and use
these priceless instruments in a recording as a way of documenting the
collection. For this the trio recorded music that very likely was played
on the instruments in the late 18th century: Druschetzky, Stadler,
Nudera, Mozart and some anonymous works.
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