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Piano Sonata No. 20, Op. 49 No. 2, I. Allegro

Ludwig van Beethoven · Level 5, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

An early sonata with a later opus publication. Piano Sonata No. 20, Op. 49 No. 2, I. Allegro is a sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven. PlayPiano puts it at Level 5, an estimate.

On this page
  • sonata
  • joyful
  • playful
  • ornaments

Also known as Piano Sonata No. 20, Op. 49 No. 2: I. Allegro; Sonata No. 20 (1st Movement: Allegro, ma non troppo).

History

Beethoven-Haus places the Op. 49 sketches in 1795 and 1796 and considers the second sonata perhaps already complete in 1796. The two sonatas reached print in Vienna in 1805. Their publication history is later than their probable writing history, so an opus number is not a simple composition date.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A chord opens the door

    A sustained G-major chord gives way to two triplet groups. Keep each group even as the melody rises and then turns downward.

  2. One connected gesture

    Repeated Gs lead into a slurred G-F-sharp-G figure. Listen for the small dip and return within a steady pulse.

  3. Long, short, long, short

    The melody alternates dotted quarters and eighth notes on A and B. Preserve that long-short pattern without hurrying the short notes.

  4. A decorated ending

    A trill on C and its grace-note ending lead to B, followed by a rest. Let the phrase settle and leave the rest clear.

  5. The idea climbs higher

    The opening idea returns an octave higher. Keep its triplets and phrase shape recognizable as the register changes.

How to practise it

Let the opening chord lead into light grouped notes.

  1. Practise each three-note group evenly, then join it to the held chord.
  2. Practise the lower two gestures before adding the upper groups.
  3. Connect the stated opening gestures at a comfortable tempo, keeping their distinct releases.

How hard is it

Level 5, estimated

The proposed intermediate target prioritizes clear articulation, reliable coordination and purposeful phrase responses through a complete first movement.

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

Let the opening chord lead into light grouped notes.

Practise it in PlayPiano