The Station Trio: Frank Thomas (Violin), Ronald Harding (Violoncello), Evelyn Amey (Pianoforte)
Trio in B Flat, Op. 11
Allegro con brio, Theme and Variations

Composed originally for Clarinet, Violoncello and Pianoforte, this Trio is often played with the violin replacing the clarinet, which it can do quite satisfactorily here. Slightly built, like the early Trios which were broadcast at the beginning of this Beethoven series, it is all melodious and easy to understand, and it has the special interest of having its last movement based on a tune which Beethoven borrowed specially for the purpose. It is an old air, popular in its day, which would long ago have been forgotten but for his use of it - a merry little tune on which Beethoven makes a series of fresh and wholesome variations.