Piano Trio (2020)

1. Moderate. Getting faster

2. Slow Motion

3. Fast. Getting faster

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When approached by Trio Con Brio Copenhagen, three world class musicians, with a view to write a piece for them, I only hesitated for as long as it took me to take a stroll to the top of my drive way and back again, before accepting, already having begun rubbing my hands. The time honored concept “Piano Trio” (any normal person would assume it's a composition for three pianos, but the classical music vocabulary is not known for its breathtaking logic)is terrifying enough for any composer today, but being of mature age with most of my future behind me, I plunged in, as it were, writing a three movement composition for piano, violin and violoncello.

Title? Piano Trio.  Plain and simple. 

There's not much to say about the music, which is just “itself”, no hidden agenda. However, I can say, without spoiling the plot, that the “homerun” of both the two outer movements are relentless white-knuckle rides toward the abyss, so please be warned. In the middle movement, though, peace and quiet prevail…   

Poul Ruders
(December 2021)