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Piano Sonata Op. 13 No. 8 in C minor 'Pathetique' Movement 1 -…
Piano Sonata Op. 13 No. 8 in C minor 'Pathetique' Movement 1
Tonality and Harmony
Use of dramatic c
In C minor
Introduction - Heavy accented chords, dramatic chords, such as dim 7ths.
Exposition - 2 contrasting theme, one in c minor (first subject) and one in Eb minor (second subject).
Development - Develops first and second subjects, exploring distant keys
Usually in C minor, however, it is in F minor as the key to start second subject.
Movement ends with first subject 'rocket' theme in the tonic key of C minor.
Functional Harmony
Cadential 6/4 used
Instrumentation
Piano
Modern piano
More solid, housed in a metal frame
Hammers covered in felt, producing a softer tone
Thicker strings resulting in a more robust sound
Less responsive keys, needing a heavier touch
Keyboard range of about 7 1/3 octaves, 88 notes
Sustaining pedal invented in 1783
The tone quality across the register is more consistent.
Forte piano
Delicate structure, housed in a lighter case
Hammers covered in leather, producing a strident tone
Thin strings, producing a lighter sound
Very responsive keys, requiring a lighter touch
Keyboard range of about 6 octaves, 72 notes
No sustaining pedal on earlier models
The bass note had a buzzing resonance, and the high notes had a light treble sound.
Ornamentation
Extended use of mordents, acciaccaturas and sticcato
Melody
Introduction - right hand fluid melody with left hand chordal accompaniment.
Exposition - 2 contrasting themes
Development - Starts with 4 bar based on intro, then ends with 30 bars of dominant preparation.
Recapitulation - Reprise of first and second subjects.
Start of coda features 4 bar intro
Context
Beethoven was called a Classical-Romantic composer as he spanned two stylistic periods in his lifetime, the Classical and Romantic eras. He was known as the composer who pioneered the Romantic style through his use of adventurous harmony and extended structures.
Title Pathetique refers to suffering, which the movement expresses through the use of minor keys, dramatic chords, accented notes, strong melodies, Romantic harmony and chords such as the diminished seventh.
Texture
Texture of introduction is homophonic with use of dramatic chords uses such as diminished sevenths.
Largely homophonic and some parts monophonic and parts contrary motion
Sonata form structure
Three sections exposition, development and recapitulation.
Tempo and Metre
Fast tempo in exposition
Grave in the intro
4/4 time signature, common time.
exposition is 2/2 time
Dynamics
Lots of dramatic dynamics used
sforzando forte