Serenade for Violin, Viola and Cello (Beethoven)

The Serenade in D major for Violin, Viola and Cello, Op. 8, is a string trio composition by Ludwig van Beethoven. It was written from 1796-97, and published in 1797 by Artaria in Vienna. The six movements are as follows:

• I. Marcia: Allegro (4/4) – Adagio (3/4)
• II. Menuetto: Allegretto ((3/4)
• III. Adagio - Scherzo: Allegro molto, in D minor (2/4)
• IV. Allegretto alla Polacca, in F major (3/4)
• V. Andante quasi Allegretto; Allegro
• VI. Marcia: Allegro (4/4)

A typical performance takes around 30-35 minutes.

In 1803, Franz Xaver Heinz Klein arranged this piece for viola and piano. It was published as the Notturno for Viola and Piano in D major, Op. 42, with Beethoven incorrectly credited as its author (although he did make corrections to Franz' work).

In his book Classic Music: Expression, Form, and Style, Leonard G. Ratner cites the fourth movement as a representative example of the polonaise (Ratner 1980, pp. 12-13).

References

• Melvin Berger, "Guide to Chamber Music", Dover, 2001.
• Leonard G. Ratner, "Classic Music: Expression, Form, and Style", Schirmer Books, 1980.

External links

• Serenade for String Trio: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project