Allegretto for Piano Trio, WoO. 39 (Beethoven)

The Allegretto for Piano Trio in B-flat major, WoO. 39 is a composition for piano trio by Ludwig van Beethoven that was composed in 1812 as a gift for Maximiliane Brentano, the then ten-year-old daughter of his friend Antonie Brentano. 8 years later he also dedicated the Piano Sonata Op. 109 to Maximiliane.[1][2] The composition was first published in 1830 by F. P. Dunst in Frankfurt, along with the Piano Trio in E-flat major, WoO. 38, and the Piano Sonata in C major, WoO. 51.[3]

Background

Beethoven composed the piece while travelling to Teplitz, where he intended to spend the summer. At the time, the Brentanos were resident in Karlsbad. He presented the work to the family on the 26 June 1812, prior to travelling to Prague.[2] The exact reason for composing the piece is unclear, although Watson states in a footnote, that it was to encourage Maximiliane in her piano playing.[4]

Manuscript

The composer's manuscript for this composition survives. Compared to most of his manuscripts, the music score of this piece is written neatly and can be read easily. Beethoven's suggested fingerings for piano is included in the manuscript.

Structure

This composition is a single movement written in sonata form. The tempo mark is Allegretto. Performance takes about 5 minutes.

References
Notes
  1. Anderson 2007
  2. Cooper 2000, p. 225
  3. Heibert 1970, p. 168
  4. Watson 2012, p. 193
Sources
  • Anderson, Keith (1994). Beethoven: Archduke Trio / Kakadu Variations / Allegretto, WoO 39 (CD). Naxos Records. 8.550949.
  • Anderson, Keith (2007). Beethoven: Piano Trios, Vol. 2 - Piano Trios Nos. 1, 2, 9 (CD). Naxos Records. 8.572343.
  • Cooper, Barry (2000). Beethoven. United States: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0191592706.
  • Hiebert, Elfrieda Franz (1970). The Piano Trios of Beethoven: An Historical and Analytical Study. University Microfilms.
  • Watson, Angus (2012). Beethoven's Chamber Music in Context. Woodbridge: Boydell Press. ISBN 978-1-84383-716-9.
  • Wigmore, Richard (2011). Beethoven: The Complete Music for Piano Trio (PDF) (CD). Hyperion Records. CDS44471/4.
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