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Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111, I

Ludwig van Beethoven · Level 10, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A two-movement sonata dedicated to Archduke Rudolph. Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111, I is a sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven. PlayPiano puts it at Level 10, an estimate.

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Also known as Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111: I; Sonata No. 32 (1st Movement).

History

Beethoven-Haus places the parent sonata between 1821 and 1822 and records publication in 1823. It names Archduke Rudolph of Austria as the dedicatee and lists two movements. This entry belongs to the opening movement of that sonata.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. Dotted calls interrupt the opening

    The small pickup leads into dotted chordal calls and short unmetered flourishes. Hear the contrast with quieter held responses.

  2. A slower ornamented contrast interrupts the drive

    Within the repeated fast region, denser exchanges lead into slower ornamented responses before renewed motion. Hear their changing scale and length.

  3. Opening-related gestures expand across registers

    Layered calls, octaves and running contrasts broaden the C-minor continuation. Follow the larger route through the high-register expansion.

  4. The drive diminishes into held sound

    Final detached calls quieten into a held upper line over continuous low motion. Hear the active foundation persist as the upper sound settles.

How to practise it

Count the opening's tied sonorities clearly and treat the explicitly free passage separately.

  1. Practise the main chord durations first, then add the upper detail without reattacking tied notes.
  2. Learn the main chord destinations and rests first; add each small approach figure only after its landing is secure.

How hard is it

Level 10, estimated

Powerful chordal writing, contrapuntal passages and demanding transitions require virtuoso technique and large-scale control.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Ludwig van Beethoven, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
Sonata journeys
Licence
Public Domain
Source
mutopiaproject.org

More by Ludwig van Beethoven

  1. Minuet in E-flat major, WoO 82Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Für Elise (Bagatelle in A minor), WoO 59Level 5, estimatedOpen to everyone
  3. Appassionata Sonata, Op. 57, III. Allegro, PrestoLevel 10, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Count the opening's tied sonorities clearly and treat the explicitly free passage separately.

Practise it in PlayPiano