The title "Pathetique" (or "Pathétique", "Pathetic") while not given by Beethoven himself, was accepted and even used by the composer referring to this famous composition. The sonata was composed in the years 1798 and 99 and published by Eder in Vienna as "Grande sonate pathétique pour le clavecin ou piano-forte composée et dédiée a son Altesse Monseigneur le Prince Karl von Lichnowsky."
This very popular work is the summit of Beethoven 's piano works composed up to 1800. It is also the second time composer uses the key of C minor which is very evocative for him. He will be using that key again only at the ultimate Sonata N.32, opus 111.
Also characteristic in this Sonata the slow beginning "Grave". Far from being a "prelude" it is, to quote
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A well-groomed and may be slightly satiric march. From the three following variations, the first and the last ones mutate the staccato theme into sinuous legato figures. The movement which may be simultaneously serene and vagabond concludes with a surprising forte tonic chord.
Scherzo: Allegro assai
The finale is actually a well-shaped Rondo but is appropriately named "Scherzo" due to its character. The teasing aspect is so preponderant all through the movement that titling this "Rondo" would have lessened the importance of that essential feature.
What else than a binary-time motive, [B-C-D] moving, bouncing inside a ternary-time signature could have created that jesting feature? This makes for the permanent feeling of an improvisation, accentuated by rests and fermata chords. Two "trios", one delicately melodic and lyric, the other in the manner of a land-lied (Landler) bring an ending soft, abrupt and at the low range of the keyboard which seems to end this game with a feign dignity.
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Work 4: Sonata N.11 in B-flat major op.22
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