Movement 1: Allegro Movement 2: Andante Movement 3: Allegretto:
Theme and Variations I–VI The Piano Trio in G major K496 is the
first of these mature trios, one of a pair written in 1786 (the
other being the trio in B flat K502, see). Mozart had been
living in Vienna for five years and was beginning to enjoy some
real success, for the first and only time in his career. The
Marriage of Figaro was premiered in May 1786, and was
increasingly acclaimed as its run continued. In March he had
completed two of his greatest piano concertos, K488 in A major
and K491 in C minor. This G major Piano Trio followed in July.
The solo piano introduces the opening theme, which is almost
operatic in its fluid decoration. At first, only the violin
joins in the dialogue, with the cello fulfilling its traditional
role as the bass instrument. But the middle section begins
dramatically with all instruments fortissimo, and then quietly
the cello leads off the discussion, suddenly taking its place as
the equal of piano and violin—a mo