Franz Schubert’s two piano trios were composed late in his short life, probably in late 1827 and the summer of 1828, the year of his death. They are huge works, worthy of Robert Schumann’s comment on Schubert’s Ninth Symphony of being of ‘heavenly length’.
Although structured along similar lines to Beethoven’s piano trios, Schubert’s trios inhabit a different world to Beethoven’s ‘Ghost’ or ‘Archduke’ works. Beethoven concentrated on drama and complex and ingenious textures. Schubert concentrates instead on beautiful tunes, and eloquent dialogues between the three players.
The music of the Austrian countryside is featured in these works, and although they date from Schubert’s last months, they contain little of the world’s sadness and desolation of Winterreisse, or the late sonatas.
Here are three amazing musicians to play Schubert’s music for you:
