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bagatelle

Für Elise (Bagatelle in A minor), WoO 59

Ludwig van Beethoven · Level 5, estimated · Open to everyone

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The short answer

Für Elise (Bagatelle in A minor), WoO 59 is a piece by Ludwig van Beethoven. PlayPiano puts it at Level 5, an estimate.

On this page
  • bagatelle
  • Key of A minor
  • melancholic
  • playful
  • broken chords

Also known as Für Elise, WoO 59.

History

Beethoven's A-minor bagatelle, WoO 59, is familiar as Für Elise, but its path to listeners was unusually long. Beethoven-Haus dates its composition to April 1810; Ludwig Nohl published it in 1867, after Beethoven's death, saying he had seen the autograph. That manuscript is now missing, so the familiar dedication cannot be checked against it and the identity of Elise remains uncertain.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. The little turn that starts the melody

    The pickup E and D-sharp lead into more alternation between those neighbouring notes. The line then moves through B, D and C. Listen to the repeated turn as one gesture, not six separate accents.

  2. Let the accompaniment answer

    The upper A is followed by a short rest and a rising C-E-A figure. Underneath, the bass also opens out through A, E and A. Listen for the change from the opening single line to two overlapping registers.

  3. Hear the change in colour

    The next rising figure uses E, G-sharp and B, with a low E in the bass. Compare its colour with the preceding A-based figure while keeping the small rests clear.

  4. A changed ending to a familiar phrase

    The A-based figure returns, followed by the E-based accompaniment. This time the upper line ends with E, C and B rather than E, G-sharp and B. Compare the two endings before the first ending settles on A.

How to practise it

Start with the famous motif, but judge readiness against the complete piece.

  1. Give the pickup somewhere to go instead of treating it as an isolated flourish.
  2. Keep the upper melody clearer than the answering broken-chord figures.
  3. Notice rests and phrase endings; do not blur every transition into one continuous sound.

How hard is it

Level 5, estimated

The familiar opening is not the whole task. This exact full-length source deserves a higher proposal than an opening-only learner excerpt.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Ludwig van Beethoven, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Licence
Public Domain
Source
mutopiaproject.org

More by Ludwig van Beethoven

  1. Minuet in E-flat major, WoO 82Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Appassionata Sonata, Op. 57, III. Allegro, PrestoLevel 10, estimatedWith Maestro

Open to everyone

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Start with the famous motif, but judge readiness against the complete piece.

Practise it in PlayPiano