Viva Voce Beethoven Piano Sonata No.8 Op.13 (Pathetique)
Viva Voce
A piano sonata is a sonata of course written for a solo piano. Piano sonatas are usually written in three or four movements, although some piano sonatas have been written with a single movement (Scarlatti) two movements (Haydn), five (Brahms’ Third Piano Sonata) or even more movements. The first movement is generally in sonata form.
This Pathetique song was Beethoven’s eighth Piano Sonata written in 1797 and was published in 1799. This sonata was written during his early period. Beethoven studied with Haydn during his early period and under Haydns’ assistance he studied with him for two years after arriving in Vienna in 1792. This period of composition extends from approx. 1794-1800, with the “Spring” Sonata for violin and piano, Op.24, the First Symphony, and the D major Piano Sonata, op.28 as the major terminal works. The piano, either in solo capacity or in a chamber ensemble, is the dominant instrument.
This song is technically considered to be in the “classical” era, but has a few romantic elements. As can be shown with the dynamics, through out this movement/piece Beethoven is using a wide range of dynamics and as we all know, Beethoven is well known for making the first “baby” steps towards romanticism shown through his adventures in harmony, structural complexity and rhythm. This piece was dedicated to his friend Prince Karl von Linchonowsky.
Beethoven had great respect for Mozart, Believed that Beethoven was inspired by Mozart’s K.475 piano sonata, since both compositions are in C minor and have three very similar movements. This 8th sonata fits the classical form of Sonata with a few twists thrown in, mainly introduction material and its re-occurrences before development and coda. This Sonata was the first sonata to have an introduction section, however other parts are already stretching the definition of a “strict” sonata form.
The first movement is in standard first movement sonata form it also contains two major themes.
A piano sonata is a sonata of course written for a solo piano. Piano sonatas are usually written in three or four movements, although some piano sonatas have been written with a single movement (Scarlatti) two movements (Haydn), five (Brahms’ Third Piano Sonata) or even more movements. The first movement is generally in sonata form.
This Pathetique song was Beethoven’s eighth Piano Sonata written in 1797 and was published in 1799. This sonata was written during his early period. Beethoven studied with Haydn during his early period and under Haydns’ assistance he studied with him for two years after arriving in Vienna in 1792. This period of composition extends from approx. 1794-1800, with the “Spring” Sonata for violin and piano, Op.24, the First Symphony, and the D major Piano Sonata, op.28 as the major terminal works. The piano, either in solo capacity or in a chamber ensemble, is the dominant instrument.
This song is technically considered to be in the “classical” era, but has a few romantic elements. As can be shown with the dynamics, through out this movement/piece Beethoven is using a wide range of dynamics and as we all know, Beethoven is well known for making the first “baby” steps towards romanticism shown through his adventures in harmony, structural complexity and rhythm. This piece was dedicated to his friend Prince Karl von Linchonowsky.
Beethoven had great respect for Mozart, Believed that Beethoven was inspired by Mozart’s K.475 piano sonata, since both compositions are in C minor and have three very similar movements. This 8th sonata fits the classical form of Sonata with a few twists thrown in, mainly introduction material and its re-occurrences before development and coda. This Sonata was the first sonata to have an introduction section, however other parts are already stretching the definition of a “strict” sonata form.
The first movement is in standard first movement sonata form it also contains two major themes.