Played by Jonathan Cohen, Ashley Brown and Somi Kim at a Chamber Music New Zealand concert, Auckland Concert Chamber, 30 June 2021.
Jonathan Cohen Photo: supplied
Beethoven wrote his Trio in B♭ in the late 1790s. This was before any hint that he was losing his hearing and he was full of confidence, taking advantage of a lively market in Vienna for chamber music.
The nickname ‘gassenhauer’? ... that was the Viennese word for a popular tune that you’d whistle in the streets – literally, “alleyway hit”.
In the final movement of the trio, Beethoven had used a song ‘Pria ch’io l’impegno’ ('Before I make the commitment') from the comic opera L’amor marinaro by Joseph Weigl as the theme for a set of variations. A simple and very whistleable melody which the genius composer treated with exuberance and humour.
Recorded by RNZ Concert in Auckland Concert Chamber, 30 June 2021
Producer: Tim Dodd; Engineer: Adrian Hollay
