In his preface to “Piano Trios on Stage”, the arranger, David Brooker, reminds us that, just as the string quartet, the piano trio has always been one of the pillars of chamber music. In the 19th and early 20th century, it was almost like the later invention of the gramophone record, allowing larger works, in arrangement, as well as lighter pieces to be presented to small audiences, often as background music.

David comments that string players have plenty of easy material to introduce them to the pleasure of making music with other instrumentalists but when it comes to piano parts these are usually written or arranged with a teacher or more advanced student in mind. David sets out to rectify that imbalance and his arrangements aim to put all three players on an equal footing.

Of easy to intermediate standard, they are ideal for violinists, cellists and pianists who are now ready to try their hand at proper chamber music. The music is fun and instantly recognizable, drawing on Grieg’s “Peer Gynt”, Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” and Leopold Mozart’s “Musical Sleigh Ride”.

Mozart Leopold: The Shaking Horse • Das schüttlende Pferd · Mozart Leopold: Sleigh Ride • Schlittenfahrt · Mozart Leopold: The Last Dance • Kehraus · Tschaikowsky Peter Iljitsch: The Nutcracker and the Tin Soldier • Nussknacker und Zinnsoldaten · Tschaikowsky Peter Iljitsch: Grandfather's Dance • Großvater-Tanz · Tschaikowsky Peter Iljitsch: The Magic Castle on the Mountain of Sweets • Das Zauberschloss auf dem Konfitürenberg · Grieg Edvard: Morning Mood • Morgenstimmung · Grieg Edvard: Solveig's Song • Solveigs Lied · Grieg Edvard: Anitra's Dance • Anitras Tanz · Pierpoint James: Jingle Bells