Piano Trio No. 41 (Haydn)

Joseph Haydn's Piano Trio No. 41 in E-flat minor, Hob. XV/31, was written in 1795/1796, though not published until 1803 in Vienna. It has the nickname "Jacob's Dream" because of its second movement. On publication it was dedicated to Magdalena von Kurzböck (1767–1845), a Viennese pianist and composer.[1]

The trio is in two movements, which were composed in reverse order: the second in 1795 and the first a year later:[2]

1. Andante cantabile. This long and contemplative movement combines the features of variations and rondo.[3] It is notable for its use of piano chords deep in the bass register, influenced by the sonorous English pianos Haydn came to appreciate while in London.[2]

2. Allegro (ben moderato). This short and cheerful movement (in sharp contrast to the first) has the scheme A–B–A–Coda. Unusually, the violin takes a more important role than the piano. The nickname "Jacob's Dream" comes from Haydn's inscription on the original manuscript, later removed.[4] This reads: Jacob's Dream! by Dr. Haydn. It refers to the biblical story of Jacob's Ladder ascending to heaven, as the movement features difficult passages in the upper register of the violin. Haydn intended this as a practical joke directed at a German violinist who had particular difficulties playing high notes. Haydn sent the movement to the pianist Therese Jansen who played it with the violinist, to comic effect.[5]