Mozart wrote the so-called “Kegelstatt” Trio for Clarinet, Viola and Piano for Franziska von Jacquin, his favorite piano student, and Anton Stadler, friend and one of history’s first clarinet virtuosi.
For it’s debut, Mozart himself played his favorite role as violist. The scoring of the trio is significant for numerous reasons. Mozart was in the midst of writing his finest chamber music that included a significant compass of the instrumental palette featuring horn, flute, oboe and the string family. The year before the Kegelstatt saw Mozart compose a pair of piano quartets, outstanding works that became the first in the distinguished genre.
With trios, quartets and concerti, Mozart was among the very first master composers to feature the new piano vs. the harpsichord. The mid-18th century also witnessed the emergence of the clarinet appearing in opera and symphony scores and reaching Mozart’s world around this time.
Mr. Stadler was an outstanding player who inspired Mozart first with this trio, then the immortal quintet, and nearly his last work: the clarinet concerto.
Here now is the Kegelstatt Trio for your enjoyment:
