CXXXIX. BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van: Piano Sonata #12 in A-Flat Major, Op. 26

CXXXIX. BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van (1770-1827)

Piano Sonata #12 in A-Flat Major, Op. 26 (1800-01)
1. Andante con variazioni
2. Scherzo, allegro molto
3. Maestoso andante, marcia funebre sulla morte d'un eroe
4. Allegro
Daniel Barenboim, piano
(21:51)

It is fascinating to study Beethoven's work around this time period -- he was still yet several years away from the groundbreaking Eroica (XXIX), but you can decipher the beginnings of those traits in these turn-of-the-century works, which mark the line between the "Classical" and "Romantic" periods.

Even the way he was structuring his music prefigures a "new" style. Here, he flips the traditional slow-fast second and third movements, to a dazzling Scherzo for the second, and a funeral march ("on the death of a Hero") -- which definitely seems to anticipate the Eroica.

First Movement

The Theme:

Var. I. (1:47):

Beethoven arpeggiates the theme:

Var. II. (3:08):

This variation features off-beats in the right hand, making for a sound of continuous 32-notes, often resulting in an dizzying feeling of loosening the entire pulse!

Var III. (4:00):

After such frenetic movement, Beethoven cools things down in the key of A-Flat Minor (seven flats!)

Var. IV. (5:53):

Back to a very simple syncopated version of the theme:

Var. V. (7:01):

The final variation begins with a triplet figure, which quickly turn into 32nd-notes, with a third interior voice in a slower rhythm:

Second Movement (9:12)

A lively Scherzo with a very simple Trio:

Third Movement (11:54):

Back to the seven-flats A-Flat Minor! See how Beethoven modulates to the remote key of D Major!

Fourth Movement (18:28):

He wraps things up with this bravura Allegro:

and ends with gently arpeggiated A-Flat Major chords: