Novelette for piano trio

Richard Heller uses the title Novelette literally, referring to a musical work that mirrors the structure of a short novel. Rather than movements, we proceed without a break through chapters unified by a recurring main plot. First heard at the outset, the agitated main theme is built on a unison melody contrasted with tremolo chords in the piano. Other themes provide musical contrast and are introduced periodically as disruptions of the main plot: for instance, a piano ostinato with cantabile string melodies above; or a section of repeated chords in the piano, which forms the central axis of the entire composition. Something akin to a traditional thematic development transpires, but Heller intentionally undercuts it with secondary material in order to increase the tension. The possibilities of the main theme are fully developed only at the very end, bringing this musical short story to its conclusion.

(c) Jason Stell