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Macbeth apercevant le specter de Banco” by Théodore Chassériau [1854]
Beethoven’s Piano Trio in D significant, Op. 70, No. 1, gained its label, the “Ghost” Triad, for its sluggish as well as dark center movement. The name appears to have stemmed with a summary of the songs by Beethoven’s student, Carl Czerny, as reminiscent of Community’s ghost. But the actual supernatural music may have had its origin in Beethoven’s ideas for an opera on Shakespeare’s Macbeth that he was considering at the time. Beethoven’s note pad sketches for the macabre second movement have a recommendation to Macbeth. He might have considered this music for a scene with the 3 witches or with Banquo’s ghost from the Shakespeare play. Beethoven’s “Ghost” Triad is today’s Noontime Work of art at 2:00 pm.