Serenade, Op. 8
1 Marcia. 2 Adagio. 3 Minuetto. 4 Adagio-Scherzo. 5 Allegretto alia polacca. 6 Andante quasi allegretto. 7 Marcia played by The Philharmonic String Trio:
David Martin (violin)
Frederick Riddle (viola)
James Whitehead (violoncello)
The first period of the three into which it is usual to divide Beethoven's career as a composer includes nineteen pieces of chamber music, roughly one-third of the total output of those years. They range from the Septet to a Sonata for piano and mandolin, and include four string trios, of which this Serenade has always been the most popular.
It exploits the three instruments with a masterly knowledge of their possibilities. The fourth movement is an instance of Beethoven's experiments in form, combining as it does slow movement and scherzo. There is a sharp contrast in manner between the middle Allegro molto and the Adagio that is interchanged with it.