The composition consists of four movements in the classical tradition:
Allegro ma non troppo (F minor)
Allegretto grazioso – Meno mosso (C♯ minor)
Poco adagio (A♭ major)
Finale. Allegro con brio (F minor)
A typical performance takes approximately 39 minutes.[2]
History
Dvořák began writing out the piano trio in February 1883 and completed it on 31 March.[3] The premiere was held on 27 October 1883 at a concert in Mladá Boleslav; Dvořák himself played the piano part. The piece was published shortly after by Simrock.[2]
Reception
Eduard Hanslick wrote in the Neue Freie Presse on 13 February 1884: "The most valuable gem brought to us amid the plethora of concerts in recent weeks is undeniably Dvorak’s new Piano Trio in F minor. It demonstrates that the composer finds himself at the pinnacle of his career."[5]
Discography
Dvořák: Piano Trios Nos. 3 & 4. Christian Tetzlaff (vn), Tanja Tetzlaff (vc), Lars Vogt (pf). Ondine (2018)