Kammerkonzert

Chamber Concerto — Berg's title for his concerto for piano, violin, and 13 wind instruments (1923–25). The work is dedicated to Schoenberg on his 50th birthday and is saturated with biographical symbolism: the opening pages spell out the musical letters in the names Schoenberg (Arnold), Webern, and Berg (A-D-S-C-H and B-E-G for Berg) as a tribute to the Viennese school. Three movements: a theme with variations for piano solo, an adagio for violin solo, and a rondo combining both soloists. The second movement Adagio was arranged in 1926 as a trio for violin, clarinet, and piano.

The Adagio arrangement for violin, clarinet, and piano is one of the most frequently performed of Berg's chamber works — more approachable than the full concerto and heartbreakingly beautiful. The piano part here is accompanist and equal partner simultaneously; balance is everything. Study the full concerto score even if performing only the trio arrangement.