Beethoven Pathetique Sonata

• Wide Ranging from f (forte = loud) to p (piano = quiet) pp (pianissimo = very quiet)
  
• Crescendo - getting gradually louder
• Decrescendo - getting gradually quieter / softer

• Dotted Rhythms - very dramatic effect
• Continuos quavers
• Staccato crotchets
• Septuplets - 7 notes in the time of one

Features used include:

• Ascending and descending scales
• Descending chromatic scale (in semitones)
• Arpeggios (broken chords)
• Ornaments (decorations) including
  • Trills
  • Mordents
  • Acciaccaturas (grace notes)

It is a piano solo but remember:

• In Beethoven's day, it was fortepiano (the "loud quiet")
• A very similar sound BUT pedals not as developed as a more modern piano

Beethoven used:

• Chromatic chords e.g. diminished 7ths
• Augmented 6ths
• Perfect cadences (Chord V to Chord I)
• Interrupted cadence (Chord V to Chord VI)

Key of piece = C Minor but modulates:

Related keys (E Flat major and F minor) and to unrelated keys e.g. E minor

SONATA FORM is a well known structure used by a lot of classical composers

Comments in blue were not used by all composers

• Introduction
• Exposition containing 1st subject, transition, 2nd subject (section 1 + section 2), Codetta
• Reprise of 4 bars of introduction
• Development
• Recapitulation containing 1st subject, 2nd subject (section 1 + section 2), Codetta, Coda

How notes are combined:

• Homophonic chords
• Octaves
• Monophonic (e.g. only right hand)
• Melody dominated homophony
• Two-part
• Broken chords
• Thirds

Introduction is GRAVE - VERY slow

Exposition: Allegro di molto e con brio = very fast and with vigour