Beethoven's first published works, the Opus 1 piano trios, were dedicated to Prince Carl von Lichnowsky, his first patron in Vienna.
Compositional Technique
Beethoven's Opus 1 trios were conceived on a large scale, each in four movements and exceeding 1,000 measures, considerably expanding the typical Classical piano trio.
Composer Biography
Beethoven worked on his Symphony No. 2 in D major while coming to terms with the first signs of his encroaching deafness, producing the anguished Heiligenstadt Testament in 1802.
Critical Reception
Joseph Haydn advised Beethoven not to publish his Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1, No. 3, which Beethoven considered his best work.
Compositional Technique
Beethoven himself arranged his Symphony No. 2 for fortepiano trio, a re-working designed to convey the original's character through chamber music.
Composer Biography
Beethoven moved to Vienna in 1792 at age 22 to study with Joseph Haydn, then one of Europe's most famous composers.
Instruments
The fortepiano used in this recording was built by Paul McNulty, modeled after an instrument by Anton Walter & Son from 1802.
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