Beethoven

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

· By Ludwig van Beethoven, a German composer
· This is the first movement of a piano sonata and is in sonata form
· It was published between 1796 and 1799

Classical features:
o Uses sonata form
o Use of piano
o Some use of functional harmony
o Ornamentation (mordents)
- sequences

· It shows some features of the Romantic period to come:
o Chromaticism/extensive use of diminished 7ths
o Manipulation of sonata form
o Modulation to unrelated keys
o Extensive melody lines
o Significant variation in dynamics

Question 2

Tonality

Answer 2

• In C minor overall
• Introduction is in C minor but then modulates to Eb major
• First subject is in C minor (tonic) which is what we would expect
• Transition modulates as we would expect in sonata form
• Second subject is in Eb minor (relative major’s, minor) which is unusual as it should be the relative major
• Codetta is in Eb major (relative major)
• Development starts in G minor with introduction idea but then modulates to unrelated keys such as E minor which is not typical of standard sonata form
• Recapitulation should remain in the tonic (C minor) but actually starts in tonic and then modulates to F minor (subdominant) (b221).

Question 3

Structure

Answer 3

· Sonata form.
Very Long Introduction b1-10 - Very slow (typically- introduction not always present in sonata form and when it is, it is often short)

Exposition:
* First subject - Faster b11-35
* Transition b35-50
* Second subject b51-113
* Codetta b113-132

4 –bar repeat of introduction b133-136
Development b137-194 (Typically- would not expect a repeat of the introduction idea)

Recapitulation 195-294
* First subject
* Transition
* Second subject

Modified introduction idea b295
Coda 299-end (Typically-would not expect repeat of introduction idea)

Question 4

Rhythm

Answer 4

• Many dotted rhythms in introduction.
• Some examples of nonuplets, sextuplets, septuplets.
• First subject uses a shorthand version of repeated quavers.
• Continuous quavers are a distinctive feature of both the first subject and also end of the second subject.
• Staccato crotchets key feature of second subject.

Question 5

Metre/tempo/dynamics

Answer 5

Metre:
* Introduction idea is in 4/4, four crotchets in a bar (Common time)
* Rest is in 2/2 (alla breve), two minims in a bar (Cut common time)

Tempo:
* Introduction idea is Grave (very slow) (think dead slow)
* Remainder is ‘Allegro di molto e con brio’ which means fast with much vigour. It is also in 2/2 which means that it feels even faster.
* Returns to Grave at beginning of development (b133) and coda (b295)

Dynamics:
* Significant dynamic contrast – a feature of the Romantic period.
* Fp (forte piano) during introduction
* Sf (suddenly loud) used repeatedly throughout

Question 6

Instrumentation

Answer 6

· Uses a piano
· Piano was a relatively new invention during this period and different from modern pianos.

Question 7

Melody

Answer 7

• Intro:
• 6-note motif – rising in a sequence
• Conjunct
• Chromaticism
• Ends with descending chromatic scale
• First subject:
• Ascending C scale over two octaves
• Conjunct and scalic
• Some chromaticism (e natural)
• 8-bar phrase
• Some use of arpeggios (b29)
• Second subject:
• Disjunct – based on arpeggio
• Use of ornaments such as acciaccaturas and mordents (trill used in development)
• Sequences used throughout
• For example: b39-45, b81-86

Question 8

Harmony

Answer 8

• Harmony is complex, yet mostly tonal.
• Uses Chromatic chords
• Including diminished 7ths
• Pedal note (harmonic device) used during first subject
• Perfect cadences at end
• Interrupted cadence in b9
• Circle of fifths b244-249
• Augmented 6th chords b30 and b34

Question 9

Texture

Answer 9

• Introduction starts homophonic, then becomes melody-dominated homophony
• RH plays in octaves during introduction
• Overall melody dominated homophony
• There are moments of monophony (b187)
• Sometimes in two parts (b93)