Beethoven - Area of Study 1

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Sonata form

Exposition -> 1st Subject (tonic key), bridge passage and 2nd subject(a related key is used here).

Development -> ideas from the exposition as developed

Recapitulation -> 1st and 2nd subject (both in tonic key).

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Structure

The movement is in 3 sections (sonata form). It has and unusual introduction for Beethoven as it’s slow. 4 bars from the introduction used in the development section of the piece and at the beginning of the coda.

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Features of the recapitulation

The recapitulation includes these features:

It is a reprise of the 1st and 2nd subjects Usually in tonic key of C minor but Beethoven choses F minor as the key for the 2nd subject which is unusual The start of the coda features 4 bars from the introduction The movement ends with the 1st subject theme in the tonic key of C minor

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Introduction

The movement starts with a slow, dramatic introduction in the tonic key (C minor). The tempo marking is Grave which means slow and solemn. It has full chords. Starts off loud then immediately drops to quiet. This sets the tone for the rest of the movement. This makes the movement unusual in terms on sonata form.   

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Features of the exposition

The exposition has these features:

1st theme begins here

Fast tempo In 2/2 time 2 contrasting themes in the key of C minor, and Eb major

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The 1st subject

The 1st subject is in C minor. It’s powerful and energetic. Allegro di molto e con brio (very quickly and energetically).

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The 2nd subject

The 2nd subject is in Eb minor and is more lyrical than the first subject but it still energetic. The right hand has a rising melody. The left handed plays repeated chords. 

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Features of the development

The development has these features:

Starts with 4 bars based on the introduction (this time in the key of E minor) Beethoven develops the 1st and 2nd subjects exploring distant keys It ends with 30 bars of dominant preparation leading to the recapitulation The end of this section features repeated octave on the note G in the left hand, this is in the dominant of the tonic key (G minor).

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