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The short answer
The lost-penny nickname was not Beethoven’s title. Alla ingharese quasi un capriccio in G major, Op. 129 is a piece by Ludwig van Beethoven. PlayPiano puts it at Level 9, an estimate.
- capriccio
- playful
Also known as Rondo A Capriccio.
History
This capriccio dates from 1794 or 1795, but was not published during Beethoven’s lifetime. Diabelli issued it in early 1828 after an estate sale, adding material to an autograph that was not finalized for publication. Its famous lost-penny heading was written by someone else, not Beethoven.
Sources
What to listen for
Light calls sit over repeated chords
Upper short calls sound above repeated lower support. Hear the longer gesture through its small rhythm.
An ornamented return leads to another contrast
The opening returns with grace notes before the E-major region. Compare the familiar call with its changed response.
Chromatic flights expand a later recall
Related opening material grows into wide running figures and staff transfers. Follow the musical strand through its placement changes.
Quiet linked figures end with detached chords
The closing sequence diminishes across registers before detached G chords. Hear the release after the continuous movement.
How to practise it
Make the detached repeated-note calls lead naturally into the running answer.
- Play the D/D and G/G pairs lightly, reserving a clear destination for the accented B.
- Alternate the two chord shapes slowly, noticing B-to-C and added F-sharp before joining the repeated eighths.
How hard is it
Extended brilliant passagework, repeated gestures and abrupt character changes require agility and endurance.
About this piece
- Licence
- Public Domain
- Source
- mutopiaproject.org
More by Ludwig van Beethoven
- Minuet in E-flat major, WoO 82Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
- Für Elise (Bagatelle in A minor), WoO 59Level 5, estimatedOpen to everyone
- Appassionata Sonata, Op. 57, III. Allegro, PrestoLevel 10, estimatedWith Maestro
