Piano Sonata No. 4 (Beethoven)

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 4, in E♭ major, Op. 7, sometimes nicknamed the Grand Sonata, is dedicated to his student Babette, the Countess Keglevics.[1][2] This piano sonata was composed in Bratislava, in 1796, in November, during his visit of Keglevich Palace in Bratislava. Beethoven named it Great Sonata, because it was published alone, which was unusual for the time.

Beethoven in 1796

Along with the Hammerklavier Sonata, it is one of the longest piano sonatas of Beethoven.[3][1] A typical performance lasts about 28 minutes.

Structure

The sonata is in four movements:

1. Allegro molto e con brio, ⁶
   ₈
2. Largo, con gran espressione, ³
   ₄ in C major
3. Allegro, ³
   ₄; "Trio" in E♭ minor
4. Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso, ²
   ₄

Analysis

I. Allegro molto e con brio

The first movement is in sonata form.[4]

II. Largo con gran espressione

The second movement is in ternary form.[4]

III. Allegro

The third movement is in scherzo and trio form.[4]

IV. Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso

The fourth movement is in rondo form.[4]

References

Notes

1. McCallum 2007, p. 8
2. Hewitt 2006, p. 7
3. Hewitt 2006, p. 6
4. https://tonic-chord.com/beethoven-piano-sonata-no-4-in-eb-major-analysis/. Missing or empty |title= (help)

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
• A lecture 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. - 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).