Piano Trio No. 3 in f minor, Op. 65

Quick Facts

• Work for violin, cello, and piano in four movements
• Written in 1883
  • Works from this period (~1881-86) of the composer’s life are known for their dramatic expressiveness and strong contrasts of dynamics.¹
• Premiered in 1883 in Mladá Boleslav with Dvořák playing the piano.²

About the Piece

• Following the success of his Slavonic Dances, Op. 46, Dvořák was encouraged by his publisher to compose a “very nice trio” as the genre was popular at the time, with few standout pieces available for musicians. Dvořák consequently became consumed with writing his third piano trio: “I can hardly think or feel anything else.”
• Piano Trio No. 3 had a successful premiere and was quickly followed by subsequent performances in other cities. The piece signified the composer’s artistic breakthrough in the realm of instrumental music.³
• Dvořák undoubtedly emulates Brahms in his third piano trio, conveying dark and somber thoughts and a sense of uncertainty and defiance.⁴

1. Klaus Döge, “Dvořák, Antonín,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed July 13, 2023, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000051222.
2. “Piano Trio No.3, Op.65 (Dvořák, Antonín),” IMSLP, accessed July 13, 2023, https://imslp.org/wiki/Piano_Trio_No.3%2C_Op.65_(Dvo%C5%99%C3%A1k%2C_Anton%C3%ADn).
3. Peter Jost, “Preface,” G. Henle Verlag (2014), accessed July 13, 2023, https://www.henle.de/media/foreword/1230.pdf.
4. “Piano Trio No. 3 in F minor, Op. 65, B130,” Antonín Dvořák, accessed July 13, 2023, https://www.antonin-dvorak.cz/en/work/piano-trio-no-3-in-f-minor-op-65-b130/.