Joseph Haydn's Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, Hob. XV/25 was written in 1795, during the final few weeks of Haydn's second trip to London, and one of a set of three (H. XV:24–26) dedicated to Rebecca Schroeter.[1] It is perhaps his best-known piano trio and sometimes nicknamed the "Gypsy" or "Gypsy Rondo" trio because of its Rondo finale in 'Hungarian' style.[2]
The trio is in three movements:
Rosemary Hughes describes the first movement as "a curious but charming blend of double-variation and rondo, for the two minor sections are extremely free in their connection either with the major main theme or with each other.[3] The alternation of variations in major and minor keys is characteristic of Haydn.[4]
The final movement incorporates a number of Gypsy tunes, including the Hungarian "recruiting dance" genre known as Verbunkos, and gypsy effects (such as strumming accompaniments and left-hand pizzicato).[5]
The work was published in October 1795 by the English firm of Longman and Broderip as part of a set of three with the opus number (seldom used today) 73. The other two are No. 38 in D major (Hoboken XV:24) and No. 40 in F minor, (Hoboken XV:26). All are dedicated to Haydn's friend, the widow Rebecca Schroeter.[6]