 | No. 348 of the ongoing ITYWLTMT series of audio montages can be found in our archives at https://archive.org/details/pcast348 |
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The
Beethoven catalogue has many trio combinations: string trios (violin, viola and
cello), wind trios (two oboes and cor anglais), trios for piano, clarinet and
cello but the most well known are for the standard piano trio (piano, violin
and cello). For that specific combination, he composed at least seven trios,
two series of variations as well as a few stand-alone movements. From his first
collection (his opus 1), I retained is trio no. 1, from the original
configuration of the Beaux Arts Trio.
The ten
Beethoven sonatas represent the most important body of work for violin and
piano. The Beethoven violin sonatas do not quite span his whole life’s work, as
do the piano sonatas or string quartets for instance. His last example is from
1812, whist he was still just managing to perform in public and a full 15 years
before his death. As always with this unique genius, the standard across the
cycle is unwaveringly superb, often touching absolute greatness. There is no
weak sonata – but then we would be amazed were we to find one. They give a
particular insight into Beethoven as a young man, full of confidence as
composer and pianist, and blazing a trail for a new way forward. I retained the
sonata no. 2, performed by Martha Argerich and Gidon Kremer.
Beethoven
inherited the string-quartet tradition from his predecessors and shaped it into
something unsurpassed in virtuosity, invention, and expressiveness. He wrote 16
string quartets, and they reveal his evolution as a composer and a man. It’s
all there: earthy wit (yes, Beethoven could crack a joke), volatile temper (his
fury was state of the art), and personal sorrow (he had plenty to weep about).
On today’s montage, I retained no. 3, performed by the 1950’s lineup of the
Budapest String Quartet.
I think you will love this music too.
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