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Pathétique Sonata, Op. 13, I. Grave, Allegro

Ludwig van Beethoven · Level 9, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A sonata announced in a Vienna newspaper. Pathétique Sonata, Op. 13, I. Grave, Allegro is a sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven. PlayPiano puts it at Level 9, an estimate.

On this page
  • sonata
  • grand
  • stormy
  • octaves

Also known as Pathétique Sonata, Op. 13: I. Grave: Allegro; Piano Sonata No. 8; Sonata No. 8 “Pathétique” (1st Movement: Grave, Allegro molto e con brio).

History

Beethoven-Haus places the parent C-minor sonata between 1797 and 1799 and names Prince Karl von Lichnowsky as its dedicatee. Hoffmeister published it in Vienna in 1799. A first-edition study records an announcement in the Wiener Zeitung on 18 December that year, giving a dated glimpse of the work reaching its public.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A strong arrival softens

    The opening chords are marked forte-piano. Hear the strong arrivals soften into dotted continuations, and leave the short rests at the ends of these gestures clear.

  2. A new pace and a new shape

    The faster section begins with a long upper C, followed by detached chord replies. Hear the broad opening sound and short replies as different gestures within the new pulse.

  3. Motion underneath a broad line

    The lower part alternates low and higher Cs in eighth notes while the upper part holds longer sounds. Keep the lower motion even without making it louder than the upper line.

  4. The bass begins to travel

    After the repeating C pattern, the lower notes move through C and D, then E-flat and F. The upper half-note chords broaden the gesture under a crescendo. Listen for direction, not just repetition.

  5. Held accents turn into a descent

    Sforzando octave arrivals are tied into shorter continuations and interrupted by rests. Then the upper line runs downward in eighth notes. Hear the contrast between held weight, silence and quick motion.

How to practise it

Keep the opening dotted detail proportioned after held chords.

  1. Practise the first tie-to-detail connection slowly.
  2. Practise the lower opening including its final rest before combining.
  3. Connect the stated opening gestures at a comfortable tempo, keeping their distinct releases.

How hard is it

Level 9, estimated

The concert-oriented target concerns the entire Grave and Allegro component, with dependable coordination and clear large-scale contrasts rather than a slow reading of its introduction.

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

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  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

Keep the opening dotted detail proportioned after held chords.

Practise it in PlayPiano