Around 1800 Beethoven seems to have completely distanced himself from chamber music for wind. In letters to his publisher we read that he did not have any particular regard for his Septet op. 20 and the Sextet op. 71; furthermore, he did not write any new works for wind ensembles. By contrast, he ennobled his Trio op. 87 – originally for two oboes and cor anglais – by making an additional version for two violins and viola. This charming work is published following the Urtext in the Beethoven Complete Edition and is a welcome addition to the repertoire for these instruments for which a great deal has not otherwise been composed.
