BEETHOVEN – PIANO SONATA IN C MINOR “PATHETIQUE”
CONTEXT:
Beethoven:
Classical period composer
Known as a virtuoso pianist (virtuoso means displaying considerable skill and agility in difficult
music)
Performed own improvisations and compositions in salons (large social rooms) of wealthy
aristocrats and also did some grander scale concerts.
Beginning to go deaf at this point.
Beethoven was influenced by Romantic style to come (use of dynamics, unusual structure and
chromaticism.)
Classical period:
Clear melodic lines
Hadyn and Mozart
Clear keys and functional tonality
Use of diatonic chords
Predominantly homophonic
Musical devices such as appoggiaturas, sequences and suspensions.
Romantic period:
Sudden dynamic changes
Unusual modulations
Emotional
Chopin, Schumann, Tchaikovsky
‘Pathetique’ means moving or emotional could link to going deaf and strong emotions of
depression but determination.
This was his 8th published sonata.
Dedicated to his friend Lichowisky
Piano had almost completely replaced harpsichord at this point.
The ‘fortepiano’ allowed the performer to use a range of dynamic levels hence name.
Beethoven was revolutionary in use of dynamics (crescendos and diminuendos.)
Sustaining pedal was also coming into use (none in original). Beethoven would use some other
kind of sustaining method.
A Sonata is a piece for solo instrument and contains 3 or 4 movements each with different
tempo.
1) Exposition- 2 main melodies.1st subject in tonic key and usually forceful. 2nd subject in
dominant or relative key and usually lyrical. Codetta. Expo repeated
2) Development- 1 or both subjects developed. Idea from 1 manipulated. Passes through
many keys.
3) Recapitulation – recap of 1. 2nd subject in the tonic key. Coda- confirm tonic key.
INTRODUCTION (b1-10):
Quadruple time
Grave tempo (very slow)
Tonic key of C minor
Distinct 6 note motif (short melodic idea) in different textures and keys
Homophonic texture
Dotted rhythms
Dynamic contrast (fp) - loud then suddenly soft
(sf) - loud accent on note or chord dramatic romantic influence
Dense heavy chords
Diminished 7th
Passes through E flat major
Rapid scalic flourish
Chordal accompaniment in LH
CONTEXT:
Beethoven:
Classical period composer
Known as a virtuoso pianist (virtuoso means displaying considerable skill and agility in difficult
music)
Performed own improvisations and compositions in salons (large social rooms) of wealthy
aristocrats and also did some grander scale concerts.
Beginning to go deaf at this point.
Beethoven was influenced by Romantic style to come (use of dynamics, unusual structure and
chromaticism.)
Classical period:
Clear melodic lines
Hadyn and Mozart
Clear keys and functional tonality
Use of diatonic chords
Predominantly homophonic
Musical devices such as appoggiaturas, sequences and suspensions.
Romantic period:
Sudden dynamic changes
Unusual modulations
Emotional
Chopin, Schumann, Tchaikovsky
‘Pathetique’ means moving or emotional could link to going deaf and strong emotions of
depression but determination.
This was his 8th published sonata.
Dedicated to his friend Lichowisky
Piano had almost completely replaced harpsichord at this point.
The ‘fortepiano’ allowed the performer to use a range of dynamic levels hence name.
Beethoven was revolutionary in use of dynamics (crescendos and diminuendos.)
Sustaining pedal was also coming into use (none in original). Beethoven would use some other
kind of sustaining method.
A Sonata is a piece for solo instrument and contains 3 or 4 movements each with different
tempo.
1) Exposition- 2 main melodies.1st subject in tonic key and usually forceful. 2nd subject in
dominant or relative key and usually lyrical. Codetta. Expo repeated
2) Development- 1 or both subjects developed. Idea from 1 manipulated. Passes through
many keys.
3) Recapitulation – recap of 1. 2nd subject in the tonic key. Coda- confirm tonic key.
INTRODUCTION (b1-10):
Quadruple time
Grave tempo (very slow)
Tonic key of C minor
Distinct 6 note motif (short melodic idea) in different textures and keys
Homophonic texture
Dotted rhythms
Dynamic contrast (fp) - loud then suddenly soft
(sf) - loud accent on note or chord dramatic romantic influence
Dense heavy chords
Diminished 7th
Passes through E flat major
Rapid scalic flourish
Chordal accompaniment in LH
