Trio for piano, flute and bassoon (G major) WoO 37

The trio for piano, flute and bassoon, WoO 37, was composed between 1786 and 1790 while Beethoven was still living in Bonn. As befitted his position at the court, he primly noted on the manuscript: 'Trio concertant à Clavibembalo, flauto, fagotto composto da Ludovico van Beethoven organista di S. S. Electeur de cologne' (Trio concertant for harpsichord, flute and bassoon, composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, organist of his Eminence the Elector of Cologne). The trio was written for the family of Count Friedrich Ludolf Anton von Westerholt-Gysenberg and was probably commissioned for the family’s domestic music-making. The count played the bassoon and kept a band comprised of his servants (mainly wind players). His daughter Maria Anna Wilhelmine was a Beethoven's student and an excellent pianist. The family had a high opinion of Beethoven and welcomed his visits. Allegedly, the composer was madly in love with Maria Anna Wilhelmine, who later became Frau von Beverförde when she married. (J.R.)