Piano Trio No. 1 in C major, Op. 34
Piano Trio No. 2 in D major, Op. 34
Piano Trio No. 3 in G major, Op. 34
Trio for flute, cello and piano
Sonata for violin, cello and piano in B flat major
Sonate très facile for violin and piano in G major
Piano Trio in D major

As I had pointed out in a previous review of his Chamber Music Vol. 1 released in June of this year, Christian Heinrich Rinck (1770-1846) was born in the same year as Beethoven, and could very well be perceived as this composer's cheerful and untroubled brother. His music is simple, straightforward, upbeat and again, notice the constant use of major keys. In certain passages, I'm reminded of Beethoven's Triple Concerto for violin, cello and piano, one of Beethoven's unusually sunny compositions, but in smaller form of course. Another point of comparison between the two can be found in the Piano Trio No. 1 in C major in which the second movement is a set of variations on a theme based on the hymn "Heil dir im Siegerkranz" which eventually became the English national anthem, the same tune Beethoven used in his set of piano variations on "God save the King".

This time around the Trio Parnassus is joined by flutist Helen Dabringhaus in the elegant and charming Trio for flute, cello and piano , Rinck's only work for this instrumental combination. And even the dramatic descending harmonic progression near the end of this work's very slow and beautiful Adagio cantabile, can't cast a shadow on its sunny disposition. Once again the members of the Trio Parnassus approach this music with the utmost respect, and play it with the same level of conviction and expressive weight they would impart the chamber works of Beethoven or Haydn. If you enjoy the compositions for chamber ensembles from that period, the music of Christian Heinrich Rinck belongs in your collection.