Editing Piano Trio, Op. 97 (Beethoven) (section)

== Historical Context ==
The Archduke Trio came to fruition just months after a highly successful premiere of his [[Wellington's Victory|Battle Symphony (Wellingtons Sieg, Op. 91)]].<ref name=":05"/> Though the relationship between Beethoven and Archduke Rudolf had its challenges, Beethoven was indebted to him for his unwavering financial support, on which account Beethoven continued to dedicate works to him.<ref name=":05"/> In this work, Beethoven increases the independence of the piano's role in relation to the violin and cello and in comparison with his earlier piano trios.<ref name=":05"/> There is much debate over the amount of time Beethoven dedicated to composing the Archduke Trio, though an earlier autograph from March 1811 could prove that it was composed in only three weeks' time.<ref name=":05"/><ref name=":13"/> At this time, Beethoven was experiencing great success with his compositions and pitting publishers against each other.<ref name=":13"/> He may have been considering marriage according to personal correspondence via letters.<ref name=":13"/> Beethoven also wrote personally to Archduke Rudolf with the newly composed trio to have it copied within the archduke's palace out of fear that it would be stolen.<ref name=":13"/> This was a frequent transaction between the two and resulted in the archduke establishing a library of all of Beethoven's compositions with manuscript copies for preservation.<ref name=":13"/>