With heat index values of 105, there is nothing to be done but be flat – or B flat, as the case may be.

On this week’s “Music from Marlboro,” I’ll make few demands on a sweltering listenership by offering works by Mozart and Beethoven, both in the key of B flat.

Beethoven’s Piano Trio, Op. 97, known as the “Archduke,” was one of 14 works the composer wrote for his friend and patron Archduke Rudolf of Austria. Rudolf, an amateur pianist, was the youngest child of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II.

Beethoven himself appeared at the keyboard at the work’s premiere in 1814. His encroaching deafness so diminished his former prowess as a performer that he retired from concertizing after a repeat performance a few weeks later. The violinist and composer Louis Spohr summed up the discomfort and pity felt by those in attendance, “I am deeply saddened by so hard a fate.”

The music remains unbowed. Today, the “Archduke” Trio is as noble and inspiring as ever.

We’ll hear it performed at the 2006 Marlboro Music Festival by pianist Mitsuko Uchida – Marlboro’s sole artistic director since 2013 (next year she’ll be joined by Jonathan Biss) – violinist Soovin Kim, and cellist David Soyer of the legendary Guarneri Quartet.

The hour will open with a delightful work by Mozart – his Sonata in B-flat for Bassoon and Cello, K. 292. The 1975 performance will feature bassoonist Alexander Heller and a 19 year-old cellist named Yo-Yo Ma.

The performances are unfailingly at pitch, even when we’re all flat. Join me for music in B flat on this week’s “Music from Marlboro,” this Wednesday evening at 6:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

Marlboro School of Music and Festival: Official Page