Description
The finale of the "Pathétique." Unlike the dramatic stance of the first movement or the song of the second, what is here is music that runs lightly. It is a rondo: a wistful theme keeps returning with contrasting episodes between. Releasing the tension in the finale is typical of Beethoven at this period.
In C minor and cut time, the theme is assembled from short figures and the chords never thicken much. One episode turns contrapuntal, the voices chasing one another. Over 2,300 notes fill about four minutes and the motion never stops.
The task is to vary the theme's character while holding the tempo. It returns four times or more, and played identically each time the movement feels long. Draw a difference in volume against the episodes and recover the lightness at each return. Coming after the first two movements, it also tests whether that lightness survives in a hand that is already tired.
Piano sonatas representative of the Classical and Romantic eras, including Beethoven's early works — substantial multi-movement pieces throughout.
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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 includes "Für Elise," the two sonatas of Op. 49, movements from his early piano sonatas, and sets of variations.
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