Haydn: Gypsy Rondo Piano Trio In G (Piano Quintet)

Category: Piano Quintet ** Composer: Haydn, Josef ** Title: Gypsy Rondo Piano Trio In G ** Arranger: Harry Wimmer ** Publisher: Wimmer Music.

A Quintet of Gypsies -- Or How This Irreverent Transcription Came About: The Gypsy Rondo is probably Haydns most popular composition. It is, of course, the Finale of his Piano Trio In G, Hob XV/25, officially known as the Rondo all-Ongarese. It is the perfect encore piece and is therefore often performed by itself at the end of a concert. It has everything: a bright, catchy, busy tune, somber interludes in the minor key, twirling dance-like figures and, of course, a flashy ending.

This transcription came about when the arranger, Harry Wimmer, needed a brilliant encore piece for a Symphony Space chamber music concert ending with a Piano Quintet on stage. He thought immediately of Haydns Gypsy Rondo, So, on short notice, he added an extra violin and viola part plus some subterranean flourishes and rumblings. Thus the Piano Quintet version was born and premiered on March 14, 2008.