Robert Fuchs (Feb. 15, 1847 - Feb. 19, 1927) was an Austrian composer and music professor who taught many famous composers.  Fuchs studied at the Vienna Conservatory, with Otto Dessof and Joseph Hellmsberger. He became Professor of Music Theory in 1875, and held it until 1912. He was highly regarded as a composer, and had a great admirer in Johannes Brahms. Fuchs did little to promote his music however; he wouldn't arrange concerts, preferring to live a quiet life. As a professor, he taught many famous composers, such as Gustav Mahler, Jean Sibelius, Hugo Wolf, and Alexander Zemlinksy.

Fuchs wrote for several genres, form orchestra, to sonatas, and for chamber music as well. HIs  Piano Trio no. 3 isn't your usual piano trio fare, of piano, violin, and cello. This trio is for piano, violin, and viola.

The first movement, Allegro molto moderato, is tumultuous and moody, and with an intriguing sense of unrest in each instrument's part. The parts weave in and out of each other effortlessly, and you might hear a hint of Brahms' influence in this movement.

The second movement, Andante grazioso starts very sweetly, with none of the unrest that the previous movement had (except for a dramatic middle section.) The violin and viola are the stars of the first few minutes, and then the piano really comes in to form, adding more depth to the trio. After the dramatic middle section, things go back to the sweet and more chipper opening theme.

The Allegretto scherzando is dance-like, with a theme that hints toward sadness that gets passed around each part. A positively cheerful middle section however, seems to erase any int of unhappiness that might have been heard in the earlier section.

The last movement, Allegro guisto, is resolute and intense. From the start, it has a deep sense of urgency, and like the other movements, definitely has dark, yet satisfying qualities about it.

Here are some recordings of this wonderful work for you to enjoy!

Fuchs: Piano Trio, Violin Sonata, Viola Phantasiestücke
Fuchs: Ruhig und ausdrucksvoll