Editing Piano Trios, Op. 70 (Beethoven)

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[[File:Piano trio in D Major, op. 70, no. 1 ('Ghost'), Beethoven, 1808, musical autograph - Morgan Library & Museum - New York City - DSC06675.jpg|thumb|right|''Piano trio in D Major'', op. 70, no. 1, musical autograph]]

[[Opus number|Op]]. 70 is a set of two '''[[Piano Trio]]s''' by [[Ludwig van Beethoven]], written for [[piano]], [[violin]], and [[cello]]. Both trios were composed during Beethoven's stay at Countess [[Anna Maria Erdődy|Marie von Erdödy's]] estate, and both are dedicated to her for her hospitality. They were published in 1809.

The first, in D major, known as the ''Ghost'', is one of his best known works in the genre (rivaled only by the ''[[Piano Trio No. 7 (Beethoven)|Archduke Trio]]'').  The D major trio features themes found in the second movement of [[Symphony No. 2 (Beethoven)|Beethoven's Symphony No. 2]].  The [[AllMusic|All-Music Guide]] states that "because of its strangely scored and undeniably eerie-sounding slow movement, it was dubbed the 'Ghost' Trio. The name has stuck with the work ever since. The ghostly music may have had its roots in sketches for a [[Macbeth]] opera that Beethoven was contemplating at the time."<ref>{{cite web|first=Blair|last=Johnston|url=http://www.allmusic.com/composition/piano-trio-in-d-major-ghost-op-70-1-mc0002368069|title=Piano Trio in D major ("Ghost"), Op. 70/1|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref> According to Lewis Lockwood, Beethoven's pupil [[Carl Czerny]] wrote in 1842 that the slow movement reminded him (Czerny) of the ghost scene at the opening of Shakespeare's ''Hamlet'', and this was the origin of the nickname.<ref>Lockwood, Lewis. ''Beethoven: The Music and The Life'', W. W. Norton & Company (2005), p306</ref> James Keller also attributes the nickname to Czerny, adding, "You may discard as erroneous the oft-encountered claim that this movement of the ''Ghost'' Trio is a reworking of music Beethoven originally sketched as the Witches Chorus for his ''Macbeth''.<ref>Keller, James. ''Chamber Music: A Listener's Guide'' Oxford University Press (2010) p56</ref>

These pieces are representative of Beethoven's "Middle" stylistic period, which went from roughly 1803 to 1812, and which included many of his most famous works.  Beethoven wrote the two piano trios while spending the summer of 1808 back once again in [[Heiligenstadt, Vienna]],<ref>{{cite web|first=Jessie|last=Rothwell|url=https://www.laphil.com/musicdb/pieces/4357/trio-in-d-major-op-70-no-1-ghost|title=Trio in D Major, Op. 70, No. 1, "Ghost"|publisher=[[LA Phil]]|access-date=14 October 2014}}</ref> where he had completed his [[Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven)|Symphony No. 5]] the previous summer.  He wrote the two trios immediately after finishing his ''Sinfonia pastorale'', [[Symphony No. 6 (Beethoven)|Symphony No. 6]].  This was a period of uncertainty in Beethoven's life, in particular because he had no dependable source of income at the time.

Although these two trios are sometimes numbered as "No. 5" and "No. 6", the numbering of Beethoven's twelve piano trios is not standardized, and in other sources the two Op. 70 trios may be shown as having different numbers, if any.

== Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70 No. 1 "Ghost" ==
* [[Tempo#Italian tempo markings|Allegro]] vivace e con brio, [[D major]], 3/4
* [[Tempo#Italian tempo markings|Largo]] assai ed espressivo, [[D minor]], 2/4 [This movement is what gave the "Ghost Trio" its name]<ref>"Beethoven: Biography of a Genius, by George R. Marek, 1969, page 264, "has so mysterious a slow movement that work has been nicknamed the "Ghost Trio."</ref>
* [[Tempo#Italian tempo markings|Presto]], D major, 4/4

== Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op. 70 No. 2 ==
* Poco sostenuto – [[Allegro (music)|Allegro]], ma non troppo, [[E-flat major]], 4/4 - 6/8
* [[Tempo#Italian tempo markings|Allegretto]], C [[major/minor]], 2/4
* [[Tempo#Italian tempo markings|Allegretto]] ma non troppo, [[A-flat major]], 3/4
* Finale. [[Tempo#Italian tempo markings|Allegro]], E-flat major, 2/4

The second movement is in [[double variation]] form.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMSLP|work=Piano Trio in D major, Op.70 No.1 (Beethoven, Ludwig van)|cname=Piano Trio in D major, Op.70 No.1|work2=Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op.70 No.2 (Beethoven, Ludwig van)|cname2=Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op.70 No.2}}
*Performances of [http://traffic.libsyn.com/gardnermuseum/beethoven_o70n1.mp3 Piano Trio Op. 70 No. 1] and [http://traffic.libsyn.com/gardnermuseum/beethoven_op70no2_claremont.mp3 Piano Trio Op. 70 No. 2] by the [[Claremont Trio]] from the [[Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum]] in [[MP3]] format

{{Beethoven piano trios}}{{Portalbar|Classical Music}}{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Piano trios by Ludwig van Beethoven|Piano Trio 70]]
[[Category:1808 compositions]]
[[Category:Compositions in D major]]
[[Category:Compositions in E-flat major]]
[[Category:Music with dedications]]