Pathetique Flashcards
Pathetique
Beethoven,
Piano solo in Sonata,
Classical,
Exposition then development then recapitulation,
Lots of repetition.
Pathetique Melody
Uses short motifs and edits it slightly, bar 1 is edited and used 10 times before bar 7,
Rapid descending chromatics scales e.g. bar 10,
5 Octave range,
Uses periodic phrasing (Sounds like a question and answer),
Repeats tiny melodic cells from bar 35,
Rising and falling semitones are augmented from bar 45 onwards,
Pitch descends from 45 onwards,
Complimentary cadences used often e.g. 51-55,
Acciaccaturas e.g. bar 53-54,
Mordents e.g. 57-58,
Trills e.g. bar 182, 184 and 186,
Lots of wide leaps e.g. 166.
Pathetique Articulation
Rapid contrasts of dynamics,
Uses both hands.
Pathetique Dynamics
Lots of dynamics,
Rapid contrasts,
Bars 5-7 p-ff-p-ff-p,
Gradual changes by crescendos and diminuendos,
Sudden accents on sfz e.g. bar 53.
Pathetique Tonality
C minor with modulations to Eflat and G minor,
167-187 are G,
C minor - Eflat - Eflat minor - Eflat major - repeat - 133 G minor - E minor - G - C minor - F minor - C minor.
Pathetique Structure
Intro to exposition to development to recapitulation,
Transition links the first and second subjects.
Pathetique Harmony
Very simple,
Complimentary cadences e.g. 51-55 makes an imperfect cadence,
Interupted cadence in bar 9,
Chromatic chords e.g. a diminished 7th in bars 2,3 and 4,
Augmented 6th on bars 30 and 34.
Pathetique Instruments
Early Pianos
Pathetique Rhythm
Dotted rhytms,
Very short notes,
Syncopation on staccato crotchets e.g. bars 13, 19, 21,
Left hand creates an ostinato effect, harmonic pattern repeated,
Persistent quavers in both hands to drive the passage, e.g. Bars 89-112,
4/4 intro changes to 2/2.
Pathetique Texture
Homophonic,
Melody and accompaniment after the intro,
187-194 are monophonic,
Broken octaves in the left of the first subject.
