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

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

   Chordal gestures answer more quietly

   The opening chordal gesture receives a quieter dotted response and a higher answer. Listen to their contrasting strength before the paired-note motion expands.

2. 2

   A chordal return changes its continuation

   The opening chordal figure returns before renewed paired notes and rising replies. Recognise the familiar call within its changed continuation.

3. 3

   Another return launches a new flight

   A further chordal return leads into F-sharp-related paired patterns and rising responses. Follow their register growth without treating pedal notation as a new section.

4. 4

   A free cadenza precedes the last burst

   Held punctuation opens an unmetered cadenza before the final measured burst. Hear the switch back to detached closing attacks and rests.

How to practise it

Give the dotted chord pairs their spring without losing the silence after the gesture.

1. Speak long-short, then play only these two chord attacks and leave time for the following notes.
2. Contrast the first quick pair with the longer chord gesture; keep the rest fully silent.

How hard is it

About this piece

Collection

Sonata journeys

Licence

Public Domain

Source

mutopiaproject.org

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