CDXCIX. BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van: Sonata #20 in G Major for Piano, Op. 49, No. 2

CDXCIX. BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van (1770-1827)

Sonata #20 in G Major for Piano, Op,. 49, No. 2 (1795-96)
1. Allegro ma non troppo
2. Tempo di Menuetto
Boris Giltburg, piano
(7:44)

Probably written for a mediocre pianist friend, this is -- by far -- the easiest of any of the 32 sonatas. The sketchbooks show that he continually simplified the work; for example the opening measures with the 1/8th-note triplets were originally 16th-notes:

First movement:

By the turn of the century, Beethoven regarded the two Op, 49 sonatas as unfit for publication. Nevertheless, his younger brother, Kaspar, acting on his own authority, tried to sell them:

"These two little easy sonatas of two movements each are yours for 280 florins."

They were eventually published against Beethoven's wishes.

Second movement

And this might have something to do with it. Beethoven was certainly not averse to reusing old themes -- observe how many times he recycled the Eroica theme! But in this case, the Septet -- dating from 1799 -- used this memorable theme verbatim. Compare:

and