Day 248: Piano Sonatas Op. 13 “Pathetique,” Op. 22, Op. 26 “Funeral March,” Op. 78

BeethovenCD53Today’s CD, like so many others, features some of Beethoven’s best work – at least, to my ears.

For example, the first composition – Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor Op. 13 “Pathetique,” which is analyzed on Wikipedia in this entry:

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. 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 (to Beethoven’s liking) by the publisher, who was impressed by the sonata’s tragic sonorities.

Prominent musicologists debate whether or not the Pathétique may have been inspired by Mozart’s piano sonata K. 457, since both compositions are in C minor and have three very similar movements. The second movement, “Adagio cantabile”, especially, makes use of a theme remarkably similar to that of the spacious second movement of Mozart’s sonata. However, Beethoven’s sonata uses a unique motif line throughout, a major difference from Haydn or Mozart’s creation.

This sounds more like Beethoven than the pieces he dedicated to Haydn. It’s dynamic, with an emphasis on introspection and melancholy.

Coincidentally, as I was listening to this piece, I wondered if Continue reading

Day 246: Piano Sonatas Op. 14 No. 2, Op. 27 Nos. 1 & 2 “Moonlight,” Op. 28 “Pastoral”

BeethovenCD51I was hooked – hooked! – from the first notes of today’s CD.

It just has that indefinable, magical quality I like in my piano sonatas.

Plus, it has the incomparable Alfred Brendel tickling the ivories.

Did I just type that?

Do Classical pianists tickle anything, let alone ivories?

And, for that matter, are piano keys made of ivory?

Whatever.

Today’s piano sonatas are superb. This immediately became one of my favorite Beethoven Piano Sonata CDs.

Here’s what I am listening to today:

Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 10 in G Op. 14 No. 2

According to its entry on Wikipedia:

The Piano Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 14, No. 2, composed in 1798–1799, is an early-period work by Ludwig van Beethoven, dedicated to Baroness Josefa von Braun. A typical performance lasts 15 minutes. While it is not as well known as some of the more original sonatas of Beethoven’s youth, such as the ‘Pathétique’ or ‘Moonlight’ sonatas, Tovey[1] described it as an ‘exquisite little work.’

Beethoven was 28-29 when he composed this piece.

Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 13 in E Flat Op. 27 No. 1

According to its entry on Wiki:

Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-flat major “Quasi una fantasia”, Op. 27, No. 1, is a sonata composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1800–1801.

Beethoven was about 30 years old when he wrote the sonata. He had already made a name for himself in Vienna as pianist and composer and was beginning to explore alternatives to the classical-era compositional procedures that he had largely adhered to during the 18th century. The most famous works of his “middle period”, often emphasizing heroism, were yet to come.

Beethoven’s sketches for the first, second, and final movements survive, but the original autograph copy is lost. The sonata was published separately from its more famous companion, Opus. 27 No. 2 (the so-called “Moonlight” Sonata), but at the same time, by Cappi in Vienna; the first advertisements for the work appeared 3 March 1802. Both Op. 27 sonatas were originally titled Sonata quasi una fantasia.

The dedicatee of the work was (as was typical of the time) an aristocrat, Princess Josephine von Liechtenstein. Little is known of Beethoven’s relationship with her.

Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Minor Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight”

As I wrote at the outset, the opening notes of Piano Sonata No. 10 in G Op. 13 No. 2 drew me in to today’s CD. Movement I (“Andante – Allegro – Andante”) of Piano Sonata no 13 in E Flat Op. 27 No. 1 sweetened the deal.

But the main reason why Continue reading

Day 214: Septet Op 20 & Sextet Op 81B

BeethovenCD19The first of the two compositions on today’s CD is Septet in E Flat Op 20, performed by Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie.

Septet, in case you’re not up on your German/Latin etymology, means seven. So this composition consists of seven instrumentalists.

According to its entry on Wikipedia, the Septet in E Flat Op 20,

was sketched out in 1799, completed, and first performed in 1800 and published in 1802. The score contains the notation: “Der Kaiserin Maria Theresia gewidmet”, or translated, “Dedicated to the Empress Maria Theresa.” It is scored for clarinet, horn, bassoon, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. It is in six movements.

So, Beethoven was 29 when this was “sketched out,” 30 when it was first performed, and 32 when it was published.

This piece of music may only have seven instruments, but it sounds very full, quite “heavy,” in a sense. Dramatic, for sure.

The second composition is Sextet in E Flat Op 81B, performed by Erben Quartet with Gerhard Meyer and Rudolf Horold playing the horn. (Sextet means six.)

According to an entry on the LA Philharmonic site, this piece was composed early, about 1795, but not published until 1810, which accounts for its high Opus number.

Beethoven was 25 was he composed this, and 40 when it was published.

It’s a solid piece of writing. But not much about it stands out for me, perhaps because it seems rather ponderous, almost lugubrious. It seems somber.