Joseph Haydn's Piano Trio No. 41 in E-flat minor, Hob. XV/31, was written in 1795/1796, though not published until 1803 in Vienna. It has the nickname "Jacob's Dream" because of its second movement. On publication it was dedicated to Magdalena von Kurzböck (1767–1845), a Viennese pianist and composer.[1]

The trio is in two movements, which were composed in reverse order: the second in 1795 and the first a year later:[2]

  1. Andante cantabile
  2. Allegro (ben moderato)

The long and contemplative first movement combines the features of variations and rondo.[3] It is notable for its use of piano chords deep in the bass register, influenced by the sonorous English pianos Haydn came to appreciate while in London.[2]

The short and cheerful second movement (in sharp contrast to the first) has the scheme A–B–A–Coda. Unusually, the violin takes a more important role than the piano. The nickname "Jacob's Dream" comes from Haydn's inscription on the original manuscript, later removed.[4] This reads: Jacob's Dream! by Dr. Haydn. It refers to the biblical story of Jacob's Ladder ascending to heaven, as the movement features difficult passages in the upper register of the violin. Haydn intended this as a practical joke directed at a German violinist who had particular difficulties playing high notes. Haydn sent the movement to the pianist Therese Jansen who played it with the violinist, to comic effect.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Brauner, Jürgen: Studien zu den Klaviertrios von Joseph Haydn. Würzburg. 1995. (pp. 302–306, pp. 348–357)
  2. 1 2 Robert Philip, Notes to Hyperion CD CDA67757 (2009)
  3. ↑ 'Haydn, Piano Trios Volume 1', reviewed by Oleg Ledeniov, MusicWeb International, December 2011
  4. ↑ Joseph Haydn, Piano Trio No. 41 in E-flat minor, Hob. XV:31 Holograph manuscript, 1795, via IMSLP
  5. ↑ Albert Christoph Dies, Biographical Accounts of Joseph Haydn, Vienna, 1810
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