Piano Sonata No. 24 in F-sharp major, Op. 78, I

History

Beethoven-Haus dates the parent sonata to 1809 and names Countess Therese Brunsvik de Korompa as its dedicatee. The work has two movements. This movement shares that parent-work history without needing an invented story about the dedication.

Sources

• beethoven.de

What to listen for

1. 1

   A short slow introduction sings

   The Adagio introduction places a singing chordal line above sustained low support. Hear the long sounds before the lighter Allegro texture begins.

2. 2

   Flowing figures meet detached replies

   Within the first repeated region, broken supports, detached chords and flowing triplets contrast. Listen for the changes of texture within the longer melody.

3. 3

   The second region changes colour and register

   The second repeated region changes its supporting sound and grows through active sequences. Hear its expansion toward the held passage.

4. 4

   Triplet recalls lead to distinct endings

   Singing triplets and active lines lead into repeated detached chords and separate endings. Hear the difference between continuation and final release.

How to practise it

Long low octave beneath changing upper groups; long-short upper change into an arrival.

1. Rehearse the low hold while adding the upper groups softly, rather than cutting the low sound at each change.
2. Count the long-short approach steadily and let the short group lead into the arrival without stretching it.

How hard is it

About this piece

Collection

Sonata journeys

Licence

Public Domain

Source

mutopiaproject.org

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