Description
The second movement of the Pathétique, an Adagio cantabile in A-flat major, unfolds a deeply sustained melody sung quietly over gently supporting chords. Among the most beloved melodies in classical music, it calls for restrained beauty and careful phrasing, while remaining approachable enough for less advanced players over its roughly four-minute duration.
Piano sonatas representative of the Classical and Romantic eras, including Beethoven's early works — substantial multi-movement pieces throughout.
Sheet Music
Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
About the Composer
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Born in Bonn and active in Vienna, Ludwig van Beethoven is among the towering figures in music history, bridging the Classical and Romantic eras. Despite losing his hearing in later life, he continued composing, pursuing innovative forms and intense emotional expression in his symphonies and piano sonatas. His beloved piano piece "Fur Elise" and his 32 piano sonatas remain widely performed. This site features 96 of his works, including piano concertos and piano trios.
View all works by Beethoven →