THE GENESIS OF THE PIANO TRIO

Abstract

The process leading to the crystallization of the piano trio can be traced back to the beginning of the17th century, a time when artists would perform under the patronage of noble families. A change in taste in the mid-18th century based on an appreciation for polyphony eventually determined the elimination of the basso continuo, the particularization of the voices and equalized the importance of the different instruments of the trio. The contributions of J. S. Bach, G. F. Haendel, as well as the French harpsichordists, J. Ph. Rameau and L. G. Guillemain with their accompanied sonatas, J. Haydn and specially W. A. Mozart, introducing the technique of multiple thematic development marked the path of the piano trio becoming a concert genre in its own right.