Pathétique Beethoven No.8 C minor 1st ovement Flashcards
Date
1796-1799
Genre
Chamber Music- Piano Sonata
Era
Classic-Romantic
Structure
Sonata Form= Exposition-Development-Recapitulation
Intro/Exposition (1st subject, transition, 2nd subject) /Development (intro material, 1st subject theme, dominant preparation) /Recapitulation (1st subject, transition,2nd subject) / Coda (intro material, 1st subject theme)
Tonality and Harmony
C minor but modulates widely
Exposition- C minor, Eb minor, Eb major
Development- G minor, E minor, C minor
Recapitulation- C minor, F minor, C minor
Diminished 7 and augmented chords, chromatic harmony, perfect cadences
Metre, Rhythm, Tempo
Time Signature- In 4/4 or 2/2
Tempo- Grave or Allegro do molto e con brio
Uses continuous quavers, staccato crotchets, fitted rhythms and rapid notes
Melody
Introduction based on 6 note motif, ascending and descending scalic passages, often chromatic, arpeggios, broken chords and ornaments eg trills
Instruments/ Timbre
Piano
Dynamics
Constant dynamic changes, sudden and extreme eg sforzando
Texture
Melody dominated homophony
Introduction is Homophonic
At end of Development a long Monophonic passage leads to Recapitulation
Definition for Sonata
A piece for solo instrument- 3/4 movements at different tempos
What does ‘Pathétique’ mean?
It means moving or emotional. The price demonstrated a new passionate style with signs of Romanticism. Revolutionary in its extreme dynamics and unusual structure
How did the piano replacing the harpsichord give more music possibilities?
It could now give sustaing pedal and dynamic possibilities, also crescendo and diminuendo
Where performed
Inhalls of royalty and the wealthy
First Performance
Not known but dedicated to Viennese aristocrat, Prince Karl von Lichnowsky
