Studies concerning the development of the piano trio primarily cultivate analyses of the musical structures found in this genre. Few of these studies deal in depth with the socio-historical aspect of the development of the piano trio. Such a neglected process can only lead to the loss of valuable information. It is important to pay careful attention to our ever-changing environment and how this phenomenon impacts upon music. The study of the development of the early piano trio (because of the social nature of chamber music) requires greater attention to the social history associated with this genre. This development can be traced as an integral part of the Germanic culture, more specifically that of eighteenth century Germany and Austria. Both societies' love for the piano led to the full blossoming of the piano trio. The question arises: to which degree did the early development of the piano and the changing society- as it mostly appeared during the eighteenth century in Germany and Austria- have an impact on the development of the early piano trio? This hypothesis holds that the development of the early piano trio depended (among other aspects) on the early development of the piano and the changing society of eighteenth century Germany and Austria. Thus, a mutual connection exists between all three factors. / Thesis (M.Mus.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011

Studies concerning the development of the piano trio primarily cultivate analyses of the musical structures found in this genre. Few of these studies deal in depth with the socio-historical aspect of the development of the piano trio. Such a neglected process can only lead to the loss of valuable information. It is important to pay careful attention to our ever-changing environment and how this phenomenon impacts upon music. The study of the development of the early piano trio (because of the social nature of chamber music) requires greater attention to the social history associated with this genre. This development can be traced as an integral part of the Germanic culture, more specifically that of eighteenth century Germany and Austria. Both societies' love for the piano led to the full blossoming of the piano trio. The question arises: to which degree did the early development of the piano and the changing society- as it mostly appeared during the eighteenth century in Germany and Austria- have an impact on the development of the early piano trio? This hypothesis holds that the development of the early piano trio depended (among other aspects) on the early development of the piano and the changing society of eighteenth century Germany and Austria. Thus, a mutual connection exists between all three factors. / Thesis (M.Mus.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011