Piano Sonata No. 8

Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor ‘Pathétique’

Your second set work for Instrumental Music 1700–1820 is the 1st Movement from L van Beethoven's Piano Sonata no. 8 in C minor ‘Pathétique’.

Style

Sonata Pathetique was composed in 1798 during the Classical period but clearly showing features of the Romantic style.
The term 'Pathetique' refers to the word suffering and music of the Romantic period was often about expressing emotions and breaking free from the strict rules of ‘Classical’ composition.

Dynamics

Contrast is key here.
There are extreme and angular dynamics, meaning that Beethoven is moving from very loud to very quiet.
The heavy accented chords in the introduction are dramatic and use the marking fp meaning Forte to Piano.
During the 10 bar introduction there is also a ff marking in the chords.

Rhythm - Introduction

The Introduction is slow: Grave.
The Introduction is written in 4/4.

Rhythm - Exposition

The Exposition section (more on this later) is fast: Allegro di Molto e Con Brio meaning 'played in a fast tempo with spirit'.
The piece is also written in 2/2.

Augmentation

Beethoven uses augmentation (b139 – 143) which is where the notes of the introduction have been doubled in length.

1Musical Elements

1.1Organisation of Pitch

1.1.1Melodic Pitch

1.1.2Melodic Devices

1.1.3Harmonic Pitch

1.1.4Harmonic Devices

1.1.5Harmonic Progressions

1.2Tonality

1.2.1Major & Minor Tonality

1.2.2End of Topic Test - Musical Elements

2Instrumental Music 1700–1820

2.1Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.1Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.2Structure & Melody

2.1.3Instrumentation & Texture

2.1.4Harmony

2.1.5Wider Listening

2.2Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’

2.2.1Piano Sonata No. 8

2.2.2Structure & Melody

2.2.3Other Features

2.2.4Wider Listening

2.2.5End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820

3Vocal Music

3.1Purcell: Music for a While

3.1.1Music for a While

3.1.2Other Features

3.1.3Wider Listening

3.2Queen: Killer Queen

3.2.1Killer Queen

3.2.2Other Features

3.2.3Wider Listening

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Vocal Music

4Music for Stage & Screen

4.1Schwartz: Defying Gravity

4.1.1Defying Gravity

4.1.2Other Features

4.1.3Wider Listening

4.2Williams: Star Wars Episode IV

4.2.1A New Hope

4.2.2Structure & Melody

4.2.3Other Features

4.2.4Wider Listening

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Music for Stage & Screen

5Fusions

5.1Afro Celt Sound System: Release

5.1.1Release

5.1.2Other Features

5.1.3Wider Listening

5.2Spalding: Samba Em Preludio

5.2.1Samba Em Preludio

5.2.2Structure & Melody

5.2.3Other Features

5.2.4Wider Listening

5.2.5End of Topic Test - Fusions

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