L van Beethoven: 1st Movement from Piano Sonata no. 8 in C minor ‘Pathétique’

When was Beethoven’s ‘Pathétique’ Sonata composed, and to whom was it dedicated?

• Composed between 1796 and 1799.

• Dedicated to Prince Karl von Lichnowsky.

Describe the key features of the slow introduction of the ‘Pathétique’ Sonata.

• Marked grave (very slow).

• Uses a six-note motif in a homophonic texture.

• Features chromatic scales and dynamic contrasts.

• Modulates from C minor to E♭ major.

What form is the first movement of Beethoven's ‘Pathétique’ Sonata written in?

Sonata form:

• Exposition: Two main subjects (C minor → E♭ major).

• Development: Themes altered and modulated.

• Recapitulation: Both subjects in the tonic (C minor).

• Ends with a coda.

What are the key features of the exposition in the first movement?

• First subject:

  • In C minor, uses ascending scales and staccato notes.

• Second subject:

  • Begins in E♭ minor with acciaccaturas, mordents, and hand-crossing.

  • Transitions to E♭ major with broken chords and contrary motion.

What happens in the development section of the ‘Pathétique’ Sonata?

• Begins with material from the introduction in G minor.

• Fragments of the first subject appear in the bass.

• Long dominant preparation in G with alternating octaves.

• Ends with monophonic quaver passages.

What are the notable harmonic features in Beethoven’s ‘Pathétique’ Sonata?

• Frequent use of chromatic chords, especially diminished sevenths.

• Interrupted cadence in bar 9 (introduction).

• Circle of fifths progression (bars 244–249).

• Augmented sixth chords (bars 30 and 34).

How does Beethoven use melody in the ‘Pathétique’ Sonata?

• Six-note motif in the introduction.

• Scalic passages (e.g., chromatic scale at the end of the introduction).

• Ornaments like acciaccaturas, mordents, and trills in the second subject.

How does texture vary in the ‘Pathétique’ Sonata?

• Homophonic textures in the introduction (e.g., bar 1).

• Melody-dominated homophony in the second subject.

• Octaves in the right hand (e.g., bar 5).

• Monophonic quaver passage before the recapitulation.

What is the tempo, metre, and rhythmic style of the ‘Pathétique’ Sonata?

• Introduction: Grave (very slow), common time.

• Allegro section: Allegro di molto e con brio (very fast and vigorous), alla breve (2/2).

• Features dotted rhythms, staccato crotchets, and rapid notes (e.g., septuplets).

What ornaments are used in the Pathétique Sonata's second subject?

• Acciaccaturas (e.g., bar 53).

• Mordents (shortly after the acciaccaturas).

• Trills before the recapitulation.

What rhythmic features stand out in the Pathétique Sonata's first movement?

• Dotted rhythms in the introduction (e.g., bar 1).

• Use of septuplets and 1/128th notes (e.g., bar 10).

• Continuous quavers in the first subject.

• Staccato crotchets in the right hand of the first subject.

How does Beethoven use dynamics in the Pathétique Sonata?

• Frequent crescendos and diminuendos.

• Sforzando (sudden loud accents).

• Contrasts like fortepiano (loud → immediately soft).

What are the key features of the Pathétique Sonata’s first subject in the exposition?

• In C minor (tonic key).

• Features ascending scalic movement over two octaves.

• Marked staccato with a tonic pedal in the bass.

• Includes a subsidiary theme with sforzandos and descending arpeggios.

Describe the transition section in the exposition of the Pathétique Sonata.

• Based on the first subject theme.

• Uses sequences to develop the material.

• Modulates towards E♭ major through dominant preparation.

How does Beethoven create tension in the development section?

• Opens with four bars of the introduction material in G minor (dominant).

• Moves to E minor with fragments of the first subject.

• Features a long dominant preparation with rapid alternating G octaves in the bass.

• Includes trills leading to a descending monophonic passage.

What features are present in the coda of the Pathétique Sonata?

• Begins with four bars of the introduction material.

• Includes dramatic pauses with silence on the first beat.

• Returns to the first subject theme in C minor.

• Ends with fortissimo perfect cadences.

How does Beethoven use texture in the Pathétique Sonata?

• Homophonic writing dominates the introduction (e.g., bar 1).

• Octaves in the right hand (e.g., bar 5).

• Monophonic passage leading to the recapitulation.

• Melody-dominated homophony in the second subject.

• Two-part textures with broken chords in the second subject’s second theme (e.g., bar 93).