Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann (1776-1822)
Grand Trio E Major 28:36

1 Allegro moderato 10:28
2 Scherzo. Allegro molto 9:27
3 Adagio. Allegro Adagio 8:41

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Piano Trio op. 70,1 D Major "Ghost Trio" 21:25

4 Allegro vivace con brio 9:07
5 Largo assai ed espressivo 3:17
6 Presto 9:01

Total 50:01

Trio Bamberg

When E.T.A. Hoffmann’s name is mentioned, his numerous fantastic stories, novels, and fairy tales immediately come to mind. To the present day, however, only a very few know that eighty-five musical compositions – vocal and instrumental music, symphonies, operas, and music for the stage – also emanated from his quill. Since he had always seen his main calling in life as a composer, and fervently desired nothing more than that his „name would be come known in the world by nothing other than a successful musical composition,“ in 1807 he ventured the big step of resigning from civil service to earn his living solely through music. During this phase, he was initially active as musical director in Bamberg. Most of his musical works date from this period (1807–18). The purchase of a grand piano provided the inspiration for the composition of the Grand Trio in E Major. The Trio was written within the space of twenty-six days, and consists of four movements entirely in the classical tradition. E.T.A. Hoffmann has moreover been accorded a very special role in musical history: He wrote a whole series of music reviews that by virtue of his incredible erudition and his uniquely vivid language are considered the foundation of serious, modern music criticism. Among these reviews is to be found a whole enthusiastic essay on the two Piano Trios, op. 70, by Ludwig van Beethoven. To conclude, it should be mentioned that this great admiration was not unrequited. Thus, we let Beethoven have the last word here; on 28 March 1820 he wrote to E.T.A. Hoffmann: „I take the opportunity, through Mr. N., to approach a brilliant man such as you are. You have even written about my humble self; Mr. N.N. also showed me several lines that you wrote about me in his album. You have thus taken, I believe, a certain interest in me. Allow me to say that, from a manendowed with so many excellent characteristics like yourself, this makes me veryglad. I wish you all the best, and remain respectfully yours, sincerely Beethoven.“