Piano Sonata No. 8 Pathetique - Beethoven

SONATA - Context

• 1799

• shows early signs of the romantic period

• classical

Features of the Classical Period

• slower harmonic rhythm

• fortepiano

• more details on the score

• homophonic

• keys were clear with perfect cadences used to establish them

• contrasts of mood within a singe movement

• balanced phrasing

SONATA - Sonato Form

• Beethoven wrote 32

• usually in 3 or 4 contrasting movements

SONATA - Dynamics

• lots of dynamic markings

• rapid contrast

• frequent sudden accents - sfz (forceful)

• gradual changes

SONATA - Melody

• sequences

• ornamentation

• scalic passages

• slow intro based on 6-note motif

SONATA - Harmony

• augmented 6th chords

• interrupted cadences

• perfect cadences

• chromatic chords

SONATA - Tonality

• Intro - C minor

• Exposition - C minor, Eb major, Eb minor, Eb major

• Development - G minor, various keys

• Recapitulation - C minor, F minor, C minor

• Coda - C minor

SONATA - Texture

• mainly homophonic

• long descending monophonic passage leading into recapitulation

• 2nd subject - melody-dominated homophony

SONATA - Tempo

• grave (slow and solemn) in intro

• Allegro di molto e con brio (very fast and with vigour) in exposition

SONATA - Metre

• Intro - 4/4 (common time)

• Main - 2/2 (alla breve / cut common time)

SONATA - Rhythm

• rapid notes

• dotted rhythms

• staccato