Beethoven’s piano sonatas feature the same basic structure, but differ considerably from one another in their compositional style. The first is known as ‘Les Adieux’ and it is Beethoven’s most overtly programmatic piece. Its title is derived from the fact that it was composed between 1809 and 1810, and is played without damping the strings. Although the composition is primarily a study in functional harmony, it is also a work of great beauty.
The first movement of the Beethoven piano sonata begins with a dramatic drop into an open B flat chord and a chaotic sequence of tremolo chords. This work is extremely rich in moods, and requires both virtuosity and finesse. The composition consists of three movements, each focusing on a different musical idea. In addition, it is also a highly accessible piece, with a relatively simple melody.
The first movement of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, Op. 2 No. 1 In F minor, is the most popular of all, and is dedicated to Haydn. The second movement, Op. 7, is expansive and is written in parallel major in B. Its slow movement is characterized by its mournfulness and power. However, the third movement of the sonata contains its own sweeping melody and is the most challenging to master.
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Beethoven’s second movement, which is known as ‘Andante’, is also considered a masterpiece for pianists. It demands a high level of technical precision as it spans a wide melodic arch. The first theme remains in the B minor, but is played in a higher register in order to attract attention. Unlike the first movement, the second movement is much more playful and is written in parallel major in B. The final section is related to the second theme in the first movement.
In the third movement, the piano sonata starts in the key of B major, followed by an exuberantly gay first movement. The following three sonatas are considered to have been composed during Mozart’s time in Paris. The last three sonatas are very different from each other and are entirely in contrast to the preceding work. There is no discernible tempo of the third movement. The final section of the second movement is in F flat minor.
The last two piano sonatas are among Mozart’s best-known compositions. He composed these masterpieces with a traditional, yet innovative, style. Its first movement, ‘Moonlight Sonata’, is Beethoven’s most famous, while the slow movement, ‘Moonlight’, which was written for Giulietta Guicciardi, is the second movement, ‘Other than Moonlight’.
The C minor sonata is Mozart’s first work in the same key, which is reminiscent of K. 280. Its first movement has a cantabile opening section followed by a lengthy answering phrase that echoes Haydn. Despite the tragic nature of the two works, they are nonetheless notable. Both are not textbook sonatas, though they do show a typical structure of the sonata.
