Ludwig Van Beethoven: Piano Trios, Vol. 2 – Busch Trio

For this second volume of their complete Beethoven piano trios, the Busch Trio illustrates the great variety that the composer was able to draw from an ensemble of just three instruments.

The Trio in G Major, begun in 1793, is the second of three published in Vienna as Opus 1. The Trio in E Flat, WoO 38 was written in 1790-1791 in Bonn: it is unusual in that it has three movements in the same key and no slow movement. The charming Allegretto in E Flat was written by a young Beethoven experimenting. The Allegretto in B Flat, WoO 39, takes us back to 1812, the era of the famous ‘Archduke Trio’. Finally, the Variations in E Flat Major, Op. 44, are a series of variations on arias from a little-known opera by Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf. ‘When practising, rehearsing and performing Beethoven’s works, it is impossible not to be overcome by the joy, courage, the love for life and humanity’ conclude the musicians of the Busch Trio.