DCCCXXV. BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van (1770-1827)
Bagatelles, Op. 126 (1825)
1. Andante con moto, cantabile e compiacevole
2. Allegro
3. Andante, cantabile e grazioso
4. Presto
5. Quasi allegretto
6. Presto. Andante amabile
Nikita Mndoyants, piano
(18:16)
After the Ninth Symphony was practically complete, Beethoven took up this project anew -- probably using earlier sketches.
This is serious music -- as is nearly everything he composed in the few years before his death.
One noticeable trait of the sophistication of this work is in the key relationships. Beginning with the second Bagatelle, the key center drops a Major Third.
- [G Major]
- G Minor
- Eb Major (Major Third below G Minor)
- B Minor (Major Third below)
- G Major (Major Third below)
- Eb Major (Major Third below)
**
1. Andante con moto, cantabile e compiacevole
Such simplicity, and so harmonically interesting!
The pastorale pace quickens, and Beethoven holds on an A dominant seventh chord (V of V) and it resolves to D dominant seventh ... and then he weaves his way back to the tonic.
1. Andante con moto, cantabile e compiacevole
Such simplicity, and so harmonically interesting!
The pastorale pace quickens, and Beethoven holds on an A dominant seventh chord (V of V) and it resolves to D dominant seventh ... and then he weaves his way back to the tonic.
2. Allegro
An 8-bar phrase is divided by rushing 16ths, and calmer 8ths. A cantabile section follows, leading into sonata-like territory, with subtle harmonic changes.
3. Andante, cantabile e grazioso
Another sonata-worthy movement -- starting with calm 1/8ths and gradually increasing the note value.
4. Presto
A brusque B Minor which suddenly turns into Art Tatum. These ties create a syncopation that is so bebop!
Even more astonishing is the B Major section that Debussy could have written. It is strikingly original.
5. Quasi allegretto
And from that technically demanding Presto, we get a movement that intermediate pianists can play. Again, the simplicity belies the Mozart-like shimmering beauty that Beethoven was capable of ...
6. Presto. Andante amabile
The presto is just six bars at the beginning and end. The middle is this gorgeous andante.
While he rumbles 16th-note triplets, the right hand plays regular 16ths -- creating the two-against-one feeling. Rigid time slips away.
An 8-bar phrase is divided by rushing 16ths, and calmer 8ths. A cantabile section follows, leading into sonata-like territory, with subtle harmonic changes.
3. Andante, cantabile e grazioso
Another sonata-worthy movement -- starting with calm 1/8ths and gradually increasing the note value.
A brusque B Minor which suddenly turns into Art Tatum. These ties create a syncopation that is so bebop!
Even more astonishing is the B Major section that Debussy could have written. It is strikingly original.
And from that technically demanding Presto, we get a movement that intermediate pianists can play. Again, the simplicity belies the Mozart-like shimmering beauty that Beethoven was capable of ...
The presto is just six bars at the beginning and end. The middle is this gorgeous andante.
While he rumbles 16th-note triplets, the right hand plays regular 16ths -- creating the two-against-one feeling. Rigid time slips away.
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