The Longing for Happiness. Left wall, detail from the Beethoven-Frieze (1902) by Gustav Klimt

Symphony no.2 in D major Op.36 for orchestra (1800-1802), arranged for piano trio 1805 (Beethoven aged 34)

Dedication unknown
Duration 30′

1. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio
2. Larghetto
3. Scherzo: Allegro
4. Allegro molto

Listen

Background and Critical Reception

Beethoven’s friend and pupil Ferdinand Ries took charge of this arrangement of the Symphony no.2 for piano trio – but the very limited writings about the arrangement strongly imply that the final decisions on its construction and execution were made by Beethoven himself.

The reason for this arrangement is not abundantly clear, other than it making the symphony available for domestic, small-scale music making. Yet the nature of the scoring would mean only very accomplished players could see it through from one end to the other!

Thoughts

This is a remarkable and surprisingly effective transcription, one that fully retains the vitality of Beethoven’s invention while compressing it for the intimacy of a chamber music environment.

Inevitably the textures are very different, but having less instruments does on occasion give the listener opportunity to appreciate the bare bones of Beethoven’s melodic invention.

Spotify playlist and Recordings used

Robert Levin (piano), Peter Hanson (violin), David Watkin (cello) (Archiv Produktion)

Emanuel Ax (piano), Leonidas Kavakos (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello)

This is a very fine performance from pianist Robert Levin and soloists drawn from the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique. The fast music is punchy and incisive, while the slower music has more intimate moments, beautifully captured.

You can chart the Arcana Beethoven playlist as it grows, with one recommended version of each piece we listen to. Catch up here!

Also written in 1805 Spohr String Quartet no.1 in C major Op.4/1

Next up An die Hoffnung Op.32