Trio Meister Raro
Robert Plane – Clarinet
Rachel Roberts – Viola
Tim Horton – Piano
Programme
Première Rhapsodie | Debussy |
Phantasie, Opus 54 | York Bowen |
Märchenerzählungen Opus 132 | Schumann |
Interval | |
Speak Seven Seas | Watkins |
Nocturne Opus 57 No 1, Fairyland | Holbrooke |
Tio in E flat major, K498, Kegelstatt | Mozart |
Trio Meister Raro was formed in 2022, a natural extension of Rachel Roberts, Robert Plane and Tim Horton’s work together as members of Ensemble 360.
Whilst they had already explored works for the mellow combination of clarinet, viola and piano as part of Ensemble 360’s residency in Sheffield, becoming an autonomous ensemble has allowed the trio’s members to delve deeper into a rewarding selection of acknowledged masterpieces and fascinating curiosities. Much of the ensemble’s repertoire, from Schumann’s Märchenerzählungen, to Jorg Widmann’s 2015 tour de force ‘Es war einmal…’ (Once upon a time…) focuses on storytelling and fantasy and this narrative element is reflected in many of Trio Meister Raro’s programme offerings.
Why “Trio Meister Raro”?
The Meister Raro Trio draws its name from Schumann’s ability to witness, nurture, and facilitate the diversity of his genius.
The first issue of ‘Neue (Leipziger)Zeitschrift fur Musik’ appeared on April 3rd 1834, published by “a society of artists and friends of art” that included the 23-year old Robert Schumann and his teacher, Friedrich Wieck. Within the publication Schumann often signed his articles as either ‘Florestan’, ‘Eusebius’, or ‘Meister Raro’. The name ‘Florestan’ signified to Schumann the impulsive, impatient, decisive and effusive aspect of himself; ‘Eusebius’ denoted a more moderate, withdrawn, cautious or introverted part of his personality, whilst the mature, observant, nurturing, perhaps paternal part of his experience Schumann referred to as ‘Meister (or Master) Raro’. These names emerged within the ‘Zeitschrift fur Musik’ publication during June and July of 1831 identifying something of the inner world of Schumann’s creativity, and laying testament to the diverse and imaginative elements of his musicianship and personality.
Robert Plane and Tim Horton perform the second movement of Robert Schumann’s Fantasiestücke for Clarinet and Piano, op. 73 (Lebhaft, leicht) at the 2024 Church Stretton Festival