Chamber Beethoven Schumann

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770−1827) wrote his Piano Trio in B-flat major in 1797, and it was nicknamed "Gassenhauer". The third movement consists of nine variations on a melody by Joseph Weigl that was so popular that people hummed it everywhere in the streets. Gasse is German for street, and Gassenhauer is a slightly annoying hit song.

Clara Schumann (1819−1896) was one of the 19th century's most famous concert pianists, with a career that lasted for over 60 years. She began composing as a child, and wrote a piano concerto as a 14-year-old. She wrote her Piano Trio in G minor in 1846 and gave it as a gift to her husband Robert Schumann on their seven year wedding anniversary.