Classical Music | Music for Trio

Recorded on 10/17/2006, uploaded on 01/14/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in B-flat Major, Op. 11      Ludwig van Beethoven

Allegro con brio; Adagio; Allegretto

After the string quartet, the most prominent ensemble in the chamber music repertoire is the piano trio comprising the intimate but powerful combination of piano, cello and violin. Haydn established the genre with numerous outstanding trios, inaugurating a tradition that has engaged nearly every notable composer from Mozart to such contemporaries as John Harbison and Bright Sheng. Never to be outdone, Beethoven wrote six major piano trios beginning with the set of three he deemed worthy enough to claim his first published opus number. Between the Op. 1 piano trios and the three masterpieces of his maturity, Beethoven wrote his charming piano trio, Op. 11, originally scored for clarinet, cello and piano but also published, with little modification, in a transcription for the typical ensemble featuring the violin as the treble instrument.

The Trio is an early work, composed in 1798 just before Beethoven turned his attention to his first set of string quartets. Many have pointed out that the Op. 11 piano trio is atypical of Beethoven. Accurate descriptions employ adjectives that one does not necessarily associate with the most familiar of his music: gentle, lyrical, playful, even, "light". The reactions of his contemporaries range from describing the work as "easy" and "more melodious" to "difficult" and "unnaturally composed". Most now share the opinion that it is wonderful music, especially when it is allowed to speak for itself. Still, it provides a curious exercise for the listener: if you didn't know it was Beethoven, would you know it was Beethoven?      Aglika Angelova

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Piano Trio No. 4 in B flat major, op. 11    Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven's Piano Trio No. 4 is one of his early chamber works, completed only two years after the three trios of his op. 1. During the 1790s, woodwind instruments enjoyed a particular popularity mostly due to their novelty, and many composers wrote chamber works for the instruments. Consequently, the Piano Trio No. 4 is the only work in Beethoven's trio cycle to be scored for clarinet, cello and piano. It is also possible to substitute the clarinet with the violin.

The key of the piece is B flat major and was probably chosen to facilitate the technical passages in the clarinet, since the Boehm System would not be developed for the clarinet for another four decades. It is in three movements like the later "Ghost" trio. The first movement begins with a graceful theme and on the whole is much under the shadow of Mozart and Haydn. A brief chorale-like subject is heard in the exposition that is later expanded in the development and combined with the opening chromatic gesture of the movement.

The following Adagio begins with a lyrical melody in the cello and repeated by the clarinet. The finale presents a simple folk-like tune and is a prime candidate for variations. Nine variations and a coda follow the theme. Only the piano is used Variation 1 followed a duet between the clarinet and cello in Variation 2. Variation 4 and 7 are in the tonic minor. Like many of his variations forms, including those of his later period, Beethoven presents the theme in its original form as the last variation. A series of trills in the piano (also a technique used extensively in his later period) leads into the brilliant coda that closes the piece.     Joseph DuBose

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.