How Does Beethoven Observed In Figure 3

Identifying Beethoven’ Style in his Piano Sonata Op.110 in A flat Major

One of the Beethoven Sonatas from his late period, the Sonata Op. 110 was composed in 1821. Maurice Hinson asserts that the whole sonata presents a uniform tempo within a special treatment of freedom, made manifest due to its structure. This structure is marked by specific musical elements such as a sort of freedom, where Beethoven improvises and at the same time he maintains the main characteristics of a classical sonata. The figure 3 illustrates both thematic ideas presented by Beethoven at the opening of the work. According to the score, the first four measures represent the first theme and the second theme can be identified from measure five to measure eleven. Moreover, the improvisatory element could be found after the second theme, where Beethoven works with a sequence of arpeggios that work as a bridge to the following section.

“The second movement arrives at a blazing speed, shattering the serenity of the first. The form of this second section of the work is most commonly described as a Scherzo and Trio, a form that Beethoven employed often.” As observed in figure 4, Beethoven writes a sequence of syncopations that defines the melodic mood of this movement, which also is related to the dynamics marks. “The basic elements of a Scherzo and Trio are historically part of a Minuet and Trio, a form that originated to accompany dances.” This second movement is definitely a compositional innovation since it is short and demanding to play with fast scale passages and huge jumps on both