Beethoven: Clarinet Trios

Composer: Ludwig Beethoven Artist: Trio Origo Download and streaming: More information: At the heart of Trio Origo s repertoire are the earliest trios composed for clarinet, cello and piano. The origins of the repertoire lie in the Gassenhauer Trio composed by Beethoven in 1797 for a clarinettist, probably Joseph Bähr, who also suggested to the composer that he use a hit tune known as a Gassenhauer from a recent opera by Joseph Weigl. Beethoven (uncharacteristically, but with perhaps an eye on the works future commercial success) duly obliged, and made Weigls tune the basis for his themeandvariations finale but he also produced a version of the trio substituting the clarinet for the violin to ensure its popularity.