The Archduke this trio was named after was Archduke Rudolf of Austria, the youngest child of Leopold II, the Holy Roman Emperor. He was an amateur pianist, composer, loyal patron and one of Beethoven’s few composition students. In addition to this piano trio, Beethoven dedicated 14 works to the Archduke.
Beethoven played the piano at the premiere of this piece in Vienna in April 1814. However, his deafness was catching up with him and just weeks later, after a reprise of the piece, the celebrated virtuoso never played the piano in public again.
This four-movement work opens with a glorious yet tranquil first theme, followed by a contrasting and jaunty one.
