2.2.1

Piano Sonata No. 8

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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

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

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

Rhythm - Introduction

  • The Introduction is slow: Grave.
  • The Introduction is written in 4/4.
Rhythm - Exposition

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

Augmentation

  • Beethoven uses augmentation (b139 – 143) which is where the notes of the introduction have been doubled in length.
Jump to other topics
1

Musical Elements

1.1

Organisation of Pitch

1.1.1Melodic Pitch1.1.2Melodic Devices1.1.3Harmonic Pitch1.1.4Harmonic Devices1.1.5Harmonic Progressions
1.2

Tonality

1.2.1Major & Minor Tonality1.2.2End of Topic Test - Musical Elements
2

Instrumental Music 1700–1820

2.1

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.1Concerto No. 5 in D Major2.1.2Structure & Melody2.1.3Instrumentation & Texture2.1.4Harmony2.1.5Wider Listening
2.2

Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’

2.2.1Piano Sonata No. 82.2.2Structure & Melody2.2.3Other Features2.2.4Wider Listening2.2.5End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820
3

Vocal Music

3.1

Purcell: Music for a While

3.1.1Music for a While3.1.2Other Features3.1.3Wider Listening
3.2

Queen: Killer Queen

3.2.1Killer Queen3.2.2Other Features3.2.3Wider Listening3.2.4End of Topic Test - Vocal Music
4

Music for Stage & Screen

4.1

Schwartz: Defying Gravity

4.1.1Defying Gravity4.1.2Other Features4.1.3Wider Listening4.1.4End of Topic Test - Defying Gravity
4.2

Williams: Star Wars Episode IV

4.2.1A New Hope4.2.2Structure & Melody4.2.3Other Features4.2.4Wider Listening4.2.5End of Topic Test - Star Wars Episode IV
5

Fusions

5.1

Afro Celt Sound System: Release

5.1.1Release5.1.2Other Features5.1.3Wider Listening
5.2

Spalding: Samba Em Preludio

5.2.1Samba Em Preludio5.2.2Structure & Melody5.2.3Other Features5.2.4Wider Listening5.2.5End of Topic Test - Fusions

Practice questions on Piano Sonata No. 8

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Sonata Pathetique:True / false
  2. 2
    Introduction to Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor ‘Pathétique’:True / false
  3. 3
    What is the tempo of the Exposition section of Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor ‘Pathétique’?Multiple choice
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Wider Listening

Structure & Melody