The Trio No. 1 in B-flat major for piano, violin, and cello, D. 898, was written by Franz Schubert in 1827. The composer finished the work in 1828, in the last year of his life.
This trio was published in 1836 as Opus 99, eight years after the composer’s death. Like the E-flat major trio, it is an unusually large scale work for piano trio, taking around 40 minutes in total to perform.
Like composers before and after him who gave expression to personal distress, Schubert was able to dispel his gloom caused by illness, and to produce music that exists on a wholly different level of expressiveness.
Robert Schumann wrote: “One glance at the B-flat Trio and the troubles of our human existence disappear and all the world is fresh and bright again.”
The Merz Trio was formed in 2017 and has quickly gained a standing as a unique and award-winning ensemble. Recipients of the First Prize and Audience Prize at the 2018 Chesapeake International Chamber Music Competition, Merz Trio has additionally appeared as a semifinalist at the M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition and in recital at the prestigious Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition.
Here is the Merz Trio to play the music of Schubert for you:
