| Piano Sonata No. 4 | |
|---|---|
| by Ludwig van Beethoven | |
.jpg.webp) Beethoven in 1796; designed by G. Stainhauser; engraving by Johann Josef Neidl, executed for the publisher Artaria | |
| Key | E-flat major |
| Opus | 7 |
| Style | Classical period |
| Form | Piano sonata |
| Composed | 1796 |
| Dedication | Babette, Countess of Keglević |
| Published | 1796, Vienna |
| Publisher | Artaria |
| Duration | 28 minutes |
| Movements | 4 |
| Audio samples | |
I. Allegro molto con brio (7:30)
| |
II. Largo con gran espressione (9:34)
| |
III. Allegro (4:55)
| |
IV. Rondo (Poco allegretto e grazioso) (6:11) Performed by Artur Schnabel in 1932
| |
Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 4, in E♭ major, Op. 7, sometimes nicknamed the Grand Sonata, was written in November 1796 and dedicated to his student Babette, the Countess Keglević.[1][2] The sonata was composed during Beethoven's visit to the Keglevich Palace.[3] Beethoven named it Great Sonata, because it was published alone, which was unusual for the time.
Along with the Hammerklavier Sonata, it is one of the longest piano sonatas that Beethoven composed.[4][1] A typical performance lasts about 28 minutes.
Structure
The sonata is laid out in four movements:
- Allegro molto e con brio, 6
8 (E-flat major) - Largo, con gran espressione, 3
4 (C major) - Allegro, 3
4 (E-flat major - Trio in E-flat minor) - Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso, 2
4 (E-flat major)
I. Allegro molto e con brio
The first movement is in sonata form.[5]
II. Largo con gran espressione
The second movement is in ternary form.[5]
III. Allegro
The third movement is in scherzo and trio form.[5]
IV. Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso
The fourth movement is in rondo form.[5] This movement of the sonata in particular was featured in the documentary Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037
References
- 1 2 McCallum 2007, p. 8
- ↑ Hewitt 2006, p. 7
- ↑ Huizing, Jan Marisse (2021). Ludwig Van Beethoven : The Piano Sonatas; History, Notation, Interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press. p. 6. ISBN 9780300262742.
- ↑ Hewitt 2006, p. 6
- 1 2 3 4 "Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.4 in E♭ major Analysis".
- Sources
- Hewitt, Angela (2006). Liner Notes to Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Opp 10/3, 7 & 57 (PDF) (CD). Hyperion Records. CDA67518.
- McCallum, Peter (2007). "Program notes - Gerhard Oppitz performs Beethoven" (PDF). Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-03-21. Retrieved 2016-06-21.
External links
- Piano Sonata No. 4: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- "The Guardian UK Culture Podcast Culture Andras Schiff lecture recital: Beethoven's Piano Sonata Op 7". TheGuardian.com. 1 Nov 2006. Retrieved 20 Aug 2023.
- A direct link to its audio file: A lecture recital by András Schiff on Beethoven's piano sonata, Op. 7
- For a public domain recording of this sonata visit Musopen
- "Op. 7 - The Beethoven Sonatas". World of Beethoven.com. 5 September 2009. - Discussion and analysis
- "Piano Sonata No.4, Op. 7: Creation History & Music Criticism". Raptus Association. Archived from the original on 2017-03-19. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
- European Archive Copyright-free LP recording of the Sonata no.4 op.7 in E♭ major by Hugo Steurer, piano at the European Archive (for non-American viewers only).