Composer

:

Ludwig van Beethoven

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Sonata

Compose Date

:

1814

Average_duration

:

13:05

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90, was composed in 1814. It premiered in Vienna in January 1815, with Beethoven himself performing. The sonata is comprised of two movements, with a total runtime of approximately 13 minutes. The first movement, marked "Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck" (With liveliness and with feeling and expression throughout), is in sonata form. It begins with a lively and energetic theme in E minor, which is then contrasted with a more lyrical and introspective second theme in G major. The development section explores both themes in various keys and textures, before returning to the recapitulation, where the themes are restated in their original keys. The movement ends with a coda that features a virtuosic display of rapid arpeggios and scales. The second movement, marked "Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen" (Not too fast and conveyed in a singing manner), is in theme and variations form. It begins with a simple and elegant theme in E minor, which is then followed by five variations that explore different aspects of the theme. The variations range from delicate and introspective to bold and dramatic, with the final variation featuring a flurry of rapid arpeggios and scales. The movement ends with a coda that restates the theme in a more subdued and introspective manner. Overall, Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90, is characterized by its emotional depth, virtuosic piano writing, and innovative use of form and structure. It is considered to be one of Beethoven's most introspective and personal works, reflecting the composer's own struggles with deafness and personal relationships.

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