Piano Trio, op. 17, parts and score; Clara Schumann (Masters Music)

Clara Schumann (1819-96) completed her Piano Trio in G minor, Op.17 in 1846 after a period of great stress and hardship, following a miscarriage and the poor health of her husband Robert Schumann. Her piano trio was likely one of the major influences on Robert's first piano trio written about a year later. It employs a pleasant balance of chromaticism, energy, and lyricism, showing her skill not only at writing for piano (her own instrument), but for violin and cello as well. It is the crowning masterpiece among her works, which include many songs, piano pieces, romances for violin, and a piano concerto.