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Piano Sonata No. 20, Op. 49 No. 2, II. Tempo di Menuetto

Ludwig van Beethoven · Level 4, 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, II. Tempo di Menuetto is a sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven. PlayPiano puts it at Level 4, an estimate.

On this page
  • sonata
  • dancing
  • gentle
  • voicing

Also known as Piano Sonata No. 20, Op. 49 No. 2: II. Tempo di Menuetto; Sonata No. 20 (2nd Movement: Tempo di Menuetto).

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 small upbeat

    A dotted-eighth and sixteenth pickup leads into a longer note. Keep the short upbeat poised, then let the sustained notes carry the three-beat pulse.

  2. Carry the held note onward

    A tied D continues into an eighth-note descent. Keep the sustained sound connected to the moving notes rather than starting a new phrase too soon.

  3. Leave a little space

    The melody settles from B to G, then pauses before the next upbeat. Let the rest separate the gestures without losing the pulse.

  4. Recognize the return

    The opening pattern returns, but its ending changes. Listen for the familiar sustained notes before a new descent leads into a rest.

  5. Two answering gestures

    Short figures rise from B to C and then answer from C to B. Give each its own small shape and keep the intervening rests clear.

How to practise it

Sustain the upper notes over a gently moving lower pattern.

  1. Practise the opening approach into the held F-sharp.
  2. Practise the lower pattern softly before adding the melody.
  3. Connect the stated opening gestures at a comfortable tempo, keeping their distinct releases.

How hard is it

Level 4, estimated

The early-intermediate target values a poised dance pulse and balanced phrase shape across the complete Tempo di Menuetto component, rather than uniform beat emphasis.

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

Sustain the upper notes over a gently moving lower pattern.

Practise it in PlayPiano