Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios

Haydn’s spirited “Gypsy” Trio meets Schubert’s expansive E-flat Trio, performed by three award-winning musicians with international careers.
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PROGRAM

Joseph Haydn
Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, Hob. XV:25, “Gypsy”

Franz Schubert
Piano Trio in E-flat major, D. 929

This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Haydn’s Piano Trio in G major combines elegance and clarity with brilliant instrumental writing. The work takes its familiar “Gypsy” nickname from its exhilarating finale, Rondo all’Ongarese — “Rondo in the Hungarian style.” Its rapid rhythms, lively syncopations, and folk-inspired character bring the trio to a dazzling conclusion.
Schubert’s Piano Trio in E-flat major unfolds on a broader, almost symphonic scale. Its memorable melodies and close dialogue between violin, cello, and piano move between tenderness, contemplation, lyricism, and dramatic intensity.

Although contrasting in style and emotional scope, both works are rooted in the Viennese tradition and demonstrate a profound understanding of musical dialogue. Together, they offer an afternoon of distinguished chamber music, performed with energy, sensitivity, and expressive depth.

Musicians:
ShanRong Tuo, violin
Mark Serkin, cello
Sharon Niessen, piano