Beethoven’s engaging 14 Variations for Piano Trio was published in 1804 as Opus 44, but the work was at least sketched out by Beethoven in 1792.
Although it was once believed that the theme was by Beethoven himself, according to Barry Cooper (“Beethoven” 2nd ed, pp. 38–39), the theme is also a tune from Dittersdorf’s opera “Little Red Riding Hood” just like the WoO 66 variations composed around the same time. The theme includes a fermata (an indefinitely long pause) that also shows up in many of the variations.
#Beethoven250 Day 27
Variations on “Ja, ich muss mich” from Dittersdorf’s “Das rote Käppchen” for Piano Trio (Opus 44), 1792
The editing of this performance emphasizes how Beethoven highlights the different instruments and instrument combinations throughout the variations.
#Beethoven250 Day 27
Variations on “Ja, ich muss mich” from Dittersdorf’s “Das rote Käppchen” for Piano Trio (Opus 44), 1792
Sometimes students tend to play too fast, but not this ensemble, who gorgeously luxuriate in the slow Variations 7 and 13, and even the Andante recap of 13 in Variation 14
If Beethoven didn’t meet Haydn in December 1791, he certainly did in July 1792 when Haydn passed through Bonn again on his way back to Vienna after his first London visit. Now it was agreed that Beethoven would move to Vienna later that year and study with the great master.