Beethoven: Piano Trios Vol.1 (Nos 1 & 2)

The three piano trios that form Beethoven's Opus 1 were published in 1795 and dedicated to Prince Carl Lichnowsky, who had welcomed the composer into his house and offered continuing and remarkably patient and tolerant support. The first of the set, at least, seems to have been written some time earlier, perhaps in Bonn, but all three were first performed, presumably in an unrevised form, at Prince Lichnowsky's in the presence of Haydn, who had good things to say about them, but advised against the publication of the third of the set.