Piano Trio Movement in B flat, Wo039 (1812)
Allegretto
Quintet for Piano and Wind in E flat, Op.16 (1796)
Grave – Allegro ma non troppo
Andante cantabile
Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo
The Piano Trio movement in B flat and Quintet for Piano and Wind Op.16 are amongst the relatively neglected examples of Beethoven’s chamber music. The Trio is no more than a fragment, a single complete movement, and so has not fitted comfortably into concert programmes. It dates from the same year – and is written in the same key – as the great Archduke Trio, Op.97, and this has led to speculation that it was originally intended as the finale for that work. The character of this gentle, flowing sonata-movement makes this seem unlikely, and the most probable explanation for its origin remains that it was written as a gift for the 14-year old girl to whom it bears a dedication, Maximiliane Brentano. The earlier Quintet dates from after Beethoven’s first period of success in Vienna. Unlike the Trio movement, it is an established repertoire-work, but has perhaps suffered from being seen as too clearly the descendant of its obvious model, Mozart’s Quintet K.452, with which it shares key, scoring, and general layout. Yet the character of the work is undoubtedly Beethoven’s. While Mozart’s Quintet has the five instruments blending and conversing, Beethoven seems more interested in contrasting them and setting the block of wind instruments against a quasi-solo piano part – the classic romantic-era stance of individual against crowd. The Quintet is in three movements – a Grave introduction and lyrical sonata-form Allegro, a sonata-rondo Andante cantabile with prominent episodes for oboe, bassoon and horn, and a genial "hunting-rondo" finale, Allegro ma non troppo. Completed in 1796 and published in 1801, it is dedicated to Prince Schwarzenberg.
R. G. Bratby, 1999
Copyright Classical Notes.co.uk 2000
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