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.
P...(+)
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.
The Adagio movement opens with a famous cantabile
melody. This theme is played three times, always in
A-flat major, separated by two modulating episodes,
making it a five-part rondo. The first episode is set
in F minor (relative minor of A-flat major), further
modulating to E-flat major before returning to the main
theme. The second episode begins in A-flat minor and
modulates to E major. With the final return of the main
theme, the accompaniment becomes richer and takes on
the triplet rhythm of the second episode.
Although originally written for Piano & Orchestra, I
created this arrangement for Woodwind Quartet (Flute,
Oboe, Bb Clarinet and Bassoon) from a transcription for
Solo Piano.
, 12 Jan 2021 at 21:20 
SHEET MUSIC