Clarinet trio


A clarinet trio is a chamber musical ensemble that consists of a clarinet and two other instruments. Most commonly, the clarinet is combined with a piano and a bowed string instrument, such as a viola, a cello or a violin. In Western classical music, the clarinet-viola-piano trio, clarinet-cello-piano trio and clarinet-violin-piano trio have proven most popular, but many other combinations exist, with or without piano. A musical work for any of these ensembles is also called a clarinet trio.

Clarinet-viola-piano trio

was the first to write for this combination in his Trio for piano, clarinet and viola in [E-flat major, K 498]. Later, other composers followed his example, such as Max Bruch in his Eight Pieces for clarinet, viola and piano, op. 83.

Clarinet-cello-piano trio

was the first to write for this combination in his Trio for piano, clarinet (or violin) and violoncello in B-flat major, Op. 11 and the Trio for piano, clarinet and violoncello in E-flat major, op. 38. Later, other composers followed his example, such as Johannes Brahms in his Trio for piano, clarinet (or viola) and violoncello in A minor, op. 114.

Clarinet-violin-piano trio

A 20th-century addition to the clarinet trio genre, this combination was pioneered by Darius Milhaud in his Suite for violin, clarinet and piano, op. 157b, and Béla Bartók in his Contrasts for clarinet, violin, and piano, Sz. 111, BB 116 (1938).

Clarinet-violin-cello trio

The following is an incomplete list of trios for clarinet, violin and cello, with their composers in alphabetical order.
  • Pierre Hyacinthe [Azaïs (1743-1796)|Pierre-Hyacinthe Azaïs]
  • * 6 Trios for violin, violoncello and clarinet
  • Theodor Blumer
  • * Trio for violin, clarinet and violoncello, op. 55
  • Gabrielle Brunner
  • * Trio for clarinet, violin and violoncello
  • Adolf Busch
  • * German Dances for clarinet, violin and violoncello, op. 26 no. 3
  • Ingolf Dahl
  • * Concerto a Tre
  • * 3 Trios for clarinet, violin and violoncello, op. 64
  • Hans Gál
  • * Serenade for clarinet, violin and violoncello, op. 93
  • Joseph Haydn
  • * Trio for clarinet d'amour in B, violin and bass in E-flat major, Hob. IV: Es1
  • * Trio for clarinet d'amour in B, violin and bass in E-flat major, Hob. IV: Es2
  • * Trio for clarinet d'amour in B, violin and bass in B-flat major, Hob. IV: B1
  • Nicolas Schmitt
  • * 3 Trios for clarinet, violin and violoncello, op. 12
  • Johann Baptist Wanhal
  • * 6 Trios for violin, clarinet and violoncello, op. 10
  • * 6 Trios for violin, clarinet and violoncello, op. 20
  • * 2 Trios for clarinet, violin and violoncello
  • Michèl Yost
  • * 3 Trios for clarinet, violin and violoncello

Clarinet-violin-viola trio

The following is an incomplete list of trios for clarinet, violin and viola, with their composers in alphabetical order.