Trio in C major

The contrast inside the dance

Here Trio names the contrasting section of a keyboard dance, not music for three instruments. This C-major piece belongs with the G-major Menuetto K.1e; its historical score ends by directing the player back to that minuet. Running eighth notes and the exchange of motion between the hands make the Trio a change of texture within the pair.

At the keyboard

Try the two pieces consecutively before deciding on their contrast. In the Trio, keep the moving notes even while allowing the chordal support to remain lighter than the line it supports. Practise the places where movement passes between the hands. For the return to the minuet, prepare its opening character in advance rather than treating it as an unrelated restart.

Music in this edition

1. Trio in C major