Piano Sonatas Nos. 19 and 20 (Beethoven)

Last updated

The Piano Sonata No. 19 in G minor, Op. 49, No. 1, and Piano Sonata No. 20 in G major, Op. 49, No. 2, are short sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven, published in 1805 (although the works were actually composed a decade earlier in early to mid 1797 [1] ). Both works are approximately eight minutes in length, and are split into two movements. These sonatas are referred to as the Leichte Sonaten to be given to his friends and students.

Contents

The Piano Sonata No. 20 was possibly written around the time Beethoven composed the Third and Fourth sonatas, but because it was published in Vienna in 1805, nearly a decade after it was actually written, it was assigned then-current opus and sonata numbers, which classified it alongside works from the composer's middle period. Very similar circumstances caused Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2 to appear as his second, even though it predated the first.

Beethoven often suppressed works in his early years, either revising them later for publication or determining that they were not fit. In fact, he withheld many early works from publication for life. In the case of these two sonatas, it was Kaspar van Beethoven, the composer's brother, who decided they were worthy of publication. Against the composer's will, he presented them to a publishing house, thus allowing posterity to hear works that might otherwise have been lost or destroyed.

Sonata No. 19

Charles Rosen, while noting the sonata's lack of technical challenges, states that it is a "deeply affecting and distinguished work". [2]

Movements

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
I. Andante
II. Allegro
Performed by Artur Schnabel in 1932
Problems playing these files? See media help.
  1. Andante
  2. Rondo: Allegro

First movement

Beethoven-op49n1a.svg

The first movement is written in standard sonata-allegro form. After the first and second theme, it moves into the recapitulation with very little development. After restating the theme in the bass with new counterpoint in the treble, the work closes with a brief coda, ending with a Picardy third.

Second movement

Beethoven-op49n1b.svg

Beethoven skips the slow movement and dance movement and moves directly to the finale, which is a modified rondo in G major. It has multiple contrasting episodes in G minor, B-flat major, and G major. This sonata has been notably performed by Sviatoslav Richter and Daniel Barenboim.

Sonata No. 20

This sonata is a relatively simple work, featuring less sophistication than most of the other piano sonatas. Strangely, there are no dynamic indications in the autograph or first edition. It is considered the easier of the two "easy sonatas", and is also considered the easiest of all the Beethoven piano sonatas. [3]

Movements

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Tempo di menuetto
Performed by Artur Schnabel in 1932
Problems playing these files? See media help.

Both movements are in G Major, making the sonata homotonal.

  1. Allegro ma non troppo, 2
    2
  2. Tempo di Menuetto , 3
    4

First movement

Piano Sonatas Nos. 19 and 20 (Beethoven)

The first movement involves two themes, starting with a stately theme based heavily on a G major triad and moving on to a more playful and lively second theme in D major, also based on the triad of D major. Both themes undergo only minimal development in the keys of D minor, A minor, and E minor before the recapitulation with the themes presented in the tonic G major and its subdominant C major, making for a simplified sonata form. The work features, for the pianist, extreme triplet technique in both hands and the balance between the hands is most critical.

Second movement

Piano Sonatas Nos. 19 and 20 (Beethoven)

The second movement of the Piano Sonata No. 20 shares a melodic theme with the Minuet of the Op. 20 Septet. Because the Septet was the later piece (1799–1800), Beethoven's suppression of the sonata and reuse of one of its themes suggests that he perhaps planned to scrap the piano work altogether. But the composer was known to recycle melodies, in some instances several times (for example, the Eroica Variations). This movement is cast in the form of a rondo, with the main rondo theme being, essentially, a minuet; the minuet features a charming melody that, along with its accompanying material, is repeated several times, varying somewhat in appearance, but remaining simple and unsophisticated.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 8 (Beethoven)</span> 1798 sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, commonly known as Sonata Pathétique, was written in 1798 when the composer was 27 years old and was published in 1799. It has remained one of his most celebrated compositions. Beethoven dedicated the work to his friend Prince Karl von Lichnowsky. Although commonly thought to be one of the few works to be named by the composer himself, it was actually named Grande sonate pathétique by the publisher, who was impressed by the sonata's tragic sonorities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 21 (Beethoven)</span> Piano Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53, known as the Waldstein, is one of the three most notable sonatas of his middle period. Completed in summer 1804 and surpassing Beethoven's previous piano sonatas in its scope, the Waldstein is a key early work of Beethoven's "Heroic" decade (1803–1812) and set a standard for piano composition in the grand manner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 32 (Beethoven)</span> Piano sonata written by Beethoven

The Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111, is the last of Ludwig van Beethoven's piano sonatas. The work was written between 1821 and 1822. Like other late period sonatas, it contains fugal elements. It was dedicated to his friend, pupil, and patron, Archduke Rudolf.

A sonatina is a small sonata. As a musical term, sonatina has no single strict definition; it is rather a title applied by the composer to a piece that is in basic sonata form, but is shorter and lighter in character, or technically more elementary, than a typical sonata. The term has been in use at least since the late baroque; there is a one-page, one-movement harpsichord piece by Handel called "Sonatina". It is most often applied to solo keyboard works, but a number of composers have written sonatinas for violin and piano, for example the Sonatina in G major for Violin and Piano by Antonín Dvořák, and occasionally for other instruments, for example the Clarinet Sonatina by Malcolm Arnold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 3 (Beethoven)</span> Piano sonata by Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2, No. 3, was written in 1795 and dedicated to Joseph Haydn. It was published simultaneously with his first and second sonatas in 1796.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 7 (Beethoven)</span>

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10, No. 3, was dedicated to the Countess Anne Margarete von Browne, and written in 1798. This makes it contemporary with his three Op. 9 string trios, his three Op. 12 violin sonatas, and the violin and orchestra romance that became his Op. 50 when later published. The year also saw the premiere of a revised version of his second piano concerto, whose original form had been written and heard in 1795.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 12 (Beethoven)</span> Piano sonata by Beethoven, composed 1800-01

Ludwig van Beethoven composed his Piano Sonata No. 12 in A♭ major, Op. 26, in 1800–1801, around the same time as he completed his First Symphony. He dedicated the sonata to Prince Karl von Lichnowsky, who had been his patron since 1792.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 9 (Beethoven)</span> Piano sonata written by Beethoven

The Piano Sonata No. 9 in E major, Op. 14, No. 1, is an early-period work by Ludwig van Beethoven, dedicated to Baroness Josefa von Braun, one of his patrons at that time. It was composed in 1798 and arranged for string quartet by the composer in 1801, the result containing more quartet-like passagework and in the more comfortable key of F major.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 5 (Beethoven)</span>

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1 was composed some time during 1796–98.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 18 (Beethoven)</span> Piano sonata written by Beethoven

The Piano Sonata No. 18 in E♭ major, Op. 31, No. 3, is an 1802 sonata for solo piano by Ludwig van Beethoven. A third party gave the piece the nickname "The Hunt" due to one of its themes' resemblance to a horn call. Beethoven maintains a playful jocularity throughout much of the piece, but as in many of his early works, the jocular style can be heard as a facade, concealing profound ideas and depths of emotion.

Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28, is a piano sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven. The name Pastoral or Pastorale became known through A. Cranz publishing of Beethoven's work, but was first coined by a London publisher, Broderip & Wilkinson. While not as famous as its immediate predecessor, Piano Sonata No. 14, it is generally admired for its intricate technicality as well as for its beauty. The sonata takes roughly twenty-five minutes to play with its intended repeats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 6 (Beethoven)</span>

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 6 in F major, Op. 10, No. 2, was dedicated to the Countess Anne Margarete von Browne, and written from 1796 to 1798. It was published in Vienna by Joseph Eder in 1798.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 25 (Beethoven)</span> Piano sonata written by Beethoven

The Piano Sonata No. 25 in G major, Op. 79, was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1809. It is alternatively titled "Cuckoo" or "Sonatina," and it is notable for its shortness. A typical performance lasts only about nine minutes. The work is in three movements: a fast-paced Presto alla tedesca, a slower Andante, and a lively Vivace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 1 (Beethoven)</span> Piano sonata composed by Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 2 No. 1, was written in 1795 and dedicated to Joseph Haydn. It was published simultaneously with his second and third piano sonatas in 1796.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 2 (Beethoven)</span>

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 2, No. 2, was written in 1795 and dedicated to Joseph Haydn. It was published simultaneously with his first and third sonatas in 1796.

Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 11 in B♭ major, Op. 22, was composed in 1800, and published two years later. Beethoven regarded it as the best of his early sonatas, though some of its companions in the cycle have been at least as popular with the public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 24 (Beethoven)</span> Piano sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven

The Piano Sonata No. 24 in F♯ major, Op. 78, nicknamed "à Thérèse" was written by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1809. It consists of two movements:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piano Sonata No. 22 (Beethoven)</span> Piano sonata written by Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 22 in F major, Op. 54, was written in 1804. It is contemporary to the first sketches of the Symphony No. 5 in C Minor. It is one of Beethoven's lesser known sonatas, overshadowed by its widely known neighbours, the Waldstein and the Appassionata.

Sonatas, duos and fantasies by Franz Schubert include all works for solo piano by Franz Schubert, except separate dances. They also include a number of works for two players: piano four hands, or piano and a string instrument.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">String Quartets, Op. 50 (Haydn)</span> String quartets by Joseph Haydn

The String Quartets, Op. 50, were composed by Joseph Haydn in 1787. The set of six quartets was dedicated to King Frederick William II of Prussia. For this reason the set is commonly known as the Prussian Quartets. Haydn sold the set to the Viennese firm Artaria and, without Artaria's knowledge, to the English publisher William Forster. Forster published it as Haydn's Opus 44. Haydn's autograph manuscripts for Nos. 3 to 6 of the set were discovered in Melbourne, Australia, in 1982.

References

  1. ↑ Cooper, Barry (2017). The creation of Beethoven's 35 piano sonatas. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. p. 45. ISBN   978-1-317-03709-5. OCLC   980304744.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  2. ↑ Rosen, Charles (2002). Beethoven's Piano Sonatas: A Short Companion, Volume 1. Yale University Press. p. 178. ISBN   0300090706.
  3. ↑ Bülow/Lebert's list of the sonatas by difficulty
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.