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Trio in G major for Violin, Viola, and Cello, Hob. XVI:40, Op. 53, No. 1
Joseph Haydn

- Born March 31, 1732, in Rohrau, Austria
- Died May 31, 1809, in Vienna
- Arranged in 1784 from the Piano Sonata in G major, Hob. XVI:40
- Duration: 8 minutes

In 1761, Joseph Haydn was hired as Vice-Kapellmeister for the aristocratic household of Prince Paul Anton Esterházy. Though the prince died the following year, Haydn was kept in his position by Anton’s successor, his brother Nikolaus. It was a stroke of luck, as the music-loving Esterházys had assembled a remarkable collection of musicians that included some of the greatest virtuosos in the region. When Haydn was elevated to Kapellmeister in 1766 upon the death of his predecessor, he assumed full responsibility of the ensemble. He not only enjoyed the creative freedom afforded to him by their talents, but over time also developed close professional and personal relationships with several of his colleagues, even becoming godfather to some of their children. 

Haydn’s many obligations included producing works to meet the needs of the changing and expanding household. In 1783, Prince Nikolaus’s grandson, Nikolaus II, married Princess Maria, the youngest daughter of Franz Joseph I of Liechtenstein. Honoring the new member of the family, Haydn produced a set of three short piano sonatas, all of which were structured with only two movements. While it is unclear if Princess Maria studied keyboard with Haydn, she did go on to commission additional works from him, including masses for her name day celebrations each year for several years. 

The set of three string trios, Op. 53, are exact arrangements for violin, viola, and cello of the piano sonatas for the princess. The first, in G major, opens with in a pastorale-like mood, reflecting the gentle and carefree atmosphere of the countryside and the descriptive word “innocent” included alongside Allegretto in the score’s tempo and character marking. It features a brief set of increasingly elaborate variations juxtaposing sunny major and stormy minor keys. The Presto final movement presents bustling themes arranged in an A–B–A structure in which the jaunty first theme is contrasted with a darker middle section. When the opening material returns, it is decorated with extra runs and flourishes, concluding with a playful mini-coda that teases at an ending before finally coming to rest with a unison closure. 

Trio in G major for Violin, Viola, and Cello, Hob. XVI:40, Op. 53, No. 1
Joseph Haydn

- Born March 31, 1732, in Rohrau, Austria
- Died May 31, 1809, in Vienna
- Arranged in 1784 from the Piano Sonata in G major, Hob. XVI:40
- Duration: 8 minutes

In 1761, Joseph Haydn was hired as Vice-Kapellmeister for the aristocratic household of Prince Paul Anton Esterházy. Though the prince died the following year, Haydn was kept in his position by Anton’s successor, his brother Nikolaus. It was a stroke of luck, as the music-loving Esterházys had assembled a remarkable collection of musicians that included some of the greatest virtuosos in the region. When Haydn was elevated to Kapellmeister in 1766 upon the death of his predecessor, he assumed full responsibility of the ensemble. He not only enjoyed the creative freedom afforded to him by their talents, but over time also developed close professional and personal relationships with several of his colleagues, even becoming godfather to some of their children. 

Haydn’s many obligations included producing works to meet the needs of the changing and expanding household. In 1783, Prince Nikolaus’s grandson, Nikolaus II, married Princess Maria, the youngest daughter of Franz Joseph I of Liechtenstein. Honoring the new member of the family, Haydn produced a set of three short piano sonatas, all of which were structured with only two movements. While it is unclear if Princess Maria studied keyboard with Haydn, she did go on to commission additional works from him, including masses for her name day celebrations each year for several years. 

The set of three string trios, Op. 53, are exact arrangements for violin, viola, and cello of the piano sonatas for the princess. The first, in G major, opens with in a pastorale-like mood, reflecting the gentle and carefree atmosphere of the countryside and the descriptive word “innocent” included alongside Allegretto in the score’s tempo and character marking. It features a brief set of increasingly elaborate variations juxtaposing sunny major and stormy minor keys. The Presto final movement presents bustling themes arranged in an A–B–A structure in which the jaunty first theme is contrasted with a darker middle section. When the opening material returns, it is decorated with extra runs and flourishes, concluding with a playful mini-coda that teases at an ending before finally coming to rest with a unison closure.