Classical Music | Music for Trio

Recorded on 10/18/2005, uploaded on 01/13/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Piano Trio, Op. 11           Ludwig van Beethoven

i. Allegro con brio;   ii. Adagio;   iii. Theme and Variations: "Pria ch'io l'impegno"

Beethoven originally composed his Op.11 Trio for Clarinet, Piano and Cello in 1797. The Trio has the nickname "Gassenhauer" or "Street Song" Trio because of the theme in the last movement, which derives from a popular song of the day, 'Pria ch'io l'impegno' ("Before I begin work, I must have something to eat") from Joseph Weigl's opera L'Amour Marinaro.  Beethoven winds out Weigl's captivating melody through nine variations that are essentially playful improvisations, meant mainly to delight and amuse the listener.  To broaden the appeal of the trio-as well as to improve its sales-Beethoven transcribed the trio for violin, cello and piano; the violin part is nearly identical to the original clarinet part.    The Lincoln Trio

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.