Beethoven Pathetique Essay
An Evening of Classical music
Programme Notes
Sonata in C minor (‘Pathétique’), Op. 13 Beethoven (1770–1827)
Grave; Allegro di molto e con brio
Adagio cantabile
Rondo: Allegro
Beethoven’s ‘Pathétique’ sonata was published in 1799 during what is referred to as his early period. At this time Beethoven was living in Vienna, supported by many generous patrons including Prince Karl Linchnowsky, to whom this sonata is dedicated. Beethoven’s early sonatas were written not only for artistic but also for pragmatic reasons. As a performing pianist, Beethoven sought to push the boundaries of the
‘forte piano’ which was, at the time, still undergoing rapid development, having only been in popular use for around sixty years. Many of Beethoven’s sonatas worked to the extremes of the tonal range of the instruments of the day, and made full use of the dynamic range available, characteristically adjoining loud and soft sections to further accentuate the contrast.
It has been suggested that the form for the Pathétique sonata was inspired by a piano sonata published two years earlier by Dussek (opus 35, number 3). Both pieces are written in C minor, and the slow movement of Dussek's piece is marked 'patetico', …show more content…
The sonata is full of agility and complexity and also reflects Mozart’s admiration of and influence by Johann Christian Bach, a contemporary of Mozart’s who died in 1782. Musical scholars familiar with both composers agree that the opening motif of K333 is very similar to Bach’s Op.5 no.3 and Op.17 no 4 piano sonatas. Another overall source of influence is the style of the concertos of the time, which was heavily ornamented, expressive and highly spirited. The first movement contains numerous concerto-esque flourishes that stray from the standard sonatas, thereby adding an element of boldness to the
Programme Notes
Sonata in C minor (‘Pathétique’), Op. 13 Beethoven (1770–1827)
Grave; Allegro di molto e con brio
Adagio cantabile
Rondo: Allegro
Beethoven’s ‘Pathétique’ sonata was published in 1799 during what is referred to as his early period. At this time Beethoven was living in Vienna, supported by many generous patrons including Prince Karl Linchnowsky, to whom this sonata is dedicated. Beethoven’s early sonatas were written not only for artistic but also for pragmatic reasons. As a performing pianist, Beethoven sought to push the boundaries of the
‘forte piano’ which was, at the time, still undergoing rapid development, having only been in popular use for around sixty years. Many of Beethoven’s sonatas worked to the extremes of the tonal range of the instruments of the day, and made full use of the dynamic range available, characteristically adjoining loud and soft sections to further accentuate the contrast.
It has been suggested that the form for the Pathétique sonata was inspired by a piano sonata published two years earlier by Dussek (opus 35, number 3). Both pieces are written in C minor, and the slow movement of Dussek's piece is marked 'patetico', …show more content…
The sonata is full of agility and complexity and also reflects Mozart’s admiration of and influence by Johann Christian Bach, a contemporary of Mozart’s who died in 1782. Musical scholars familiar with both composers agree that the opening motif of K333 is very similar to Bach’s Op.5 no.3 and Op.17 no 4 piano sonatas. Another overall source of influence is the style of the concertos of the time, which was heavily ornamented, expressive and highly spirited. The first movement contains numerous concerto-esque flourishes that stray from the standard sonatas, thereby adding an element of boldness to the