Sonata Pathetique by Beethoven Flashcards
There is a blend of both Classical and Romantic features in Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No.8. what are these?
- balanced phrases
- mainly homophonic texture
- variety and contrast
- wide range of dynamics
- harpsichord replaced by the piano
- sonata form
what are some Features of the Classical period ?
- light texture
- mostly homophonic with melody
- emphasis on balance
- use of dynamics
- new instruments with clear musical structures
- sonata form
what are some Features of the Romantic period?
- rhythmic complexity
- changing tempos including very fast and very slow
- drama created through wide leaps, complex harmonies
- virtuosic writing
- unexpected modulations
give an overview of the textures in SP
- The introduction is homophonic with very heavy, low chords
- The first subject includes descending broken chords in bars 29 and 33, which moves into harmony.
- An antiphonal effect is created by crossed hands in bars 51 to 80 and an Alberti bass is played in bar 89.
give an overview of the rhythm in SP
- Dotted rhythms and short rhythms are included in bars 9 and 10.
-The exposition includes some
syncopation - bars 13 and 19 - and persistent quavers are played throughout the allegro section, except for the second subject.
give an overview of the instrumentation in SP
- The full work spans five and a half
octaves - nearly the full range of notes on a piano. - Contrary motion is used in bars 105 to 110 and a murky bass is frequently present, for example, in bar 11 in the left hand.
describe the metre and tempo of SP
- The introduction has a 4/4 time signature, although the exposition changes to a 2/2 time signature with a clear two beats in a bar.
- The tempi indicated are:
introduction - grave
first subject - allegro di molto e con brio
describe the melody of the first subject in SP
- Bar 1 has a dotted semiquaver
motif that is used throughout the introduction. - Bar 10 includes a long, rapid, descending chromatic run.
- The first subject melody is a rising
staccato theme over two octaves.
describe the melody of the transition and second subject in SP
- The transition is based on the first subject theme and employs lots of chromatic harmonies
- The second subject is a lyrical, legato
phrase and contrasting spiky, staccato phrase. - The melody includes acciaccaturas and
mordents
describe the melody of the development in SP
The development contains fragments of the introduction and exposition melodies. For example, bar 137 is based on the first subject and bars 140 and 141 are based on the second subject.
describe the harmony and tonality of the intro in SP
The introduction opens in the dramatic key of C minor, the tonic key. Chromatic notes are heard along with diminished chords.
describe the harmony and tonality of the first subject in SP
- The first subject is in C minor, the opening
tonic pedal alternating between bass octave C tremolo. - A perfect cadence is heard in bars 18 to 19 before the theme is repeated.
- Diminished seventh chords are heard again in bar 18 and there is an imperfect cadence at bar 27.
describe the harmony and tonality of the transition and second subject in SP
- The transition modulates through Ab and Bb before the second subject begins in the key of E♭ minor, instead of the relative major of the opening key, E♭ major.
-The key becomes E♭ major in bar 89. - A dominant pedal is used in bar 51 to add variation.
describe the harmony and tonality of the recapitulation in SP
- For the recapitulation, the first subject is in C minor and the second subject begins in F minor, returning to C minor.
- There are more diminished chords on the first beat of bars 2, 26 and 42.
describe the harmony and tonality of the development in SP
- The theme is repeated in a number of different keys, especially in the development, as this section has a lot of chromatic notes and works through many
keys
