Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.8, first movement

Question 1

Structure

Answer 1

Beethoven writes the movement in sonata form, a structure made up of the following sections:
introduction
exposition - expose the first and second subjects
development
recapitulation - repeat the first and second subjects
coda

Question 2

Dynamics

Answer 2

Extreme dynamics - pp to ff are used, with accents and crescendos and diminuendos. The invention of the piano made greater dynamic range possible.

Question 3

Texture

Answer 3

• the introduction is homophonic

- there is melody-dominated homophony from the exposition

Question 4

Rhythm

Answer 4

• Dotted notes are in the introduction.
• Continuous quavers run throughout - except in the second subject - maintaining drive and intensity, as shown in the following excerpt.

Question 5

Metre

Answer 5

• The introduction is slow, with four beats in a bar.

- Cut common time/two beats in a bar from the exposition.

Question 6

Tempo

Answer 6

• the introduction is grave

- the first subject accelerates to allegro di molto e con brio, which means fast with much vigour

Question 7

Melody

Answer 7

• two contrasting melodies in the exposition - the first subject is staccato and rising, and the second subject is more lyrical with longer notes
• the exposition, development and recapitulation are based on these two melodies
• almost full range of the piano used - hands crossed

Question 8

Harmony and tonality

Answer 8

• The tonic key is C minor - a dramatic key.
• The second subject starts in Eb minor when E♭ major - the relative major is expected.
• The development moves quickly through a number of different keys.