Harmonic Analysis: Beethoven's Pathétique

A turning point in musical Expression: Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata (opus 13):
Not only immensely popular but tremendously important for the course of Western music history is Beethoven’s Pathétique sonata and in particular the first movement.
It marks a radical change in the use of harmony, rhythm, dynamics, contrasts, motivic treatment which together constitute a new world of musical expression for that time. For me, this piece truly marks the beginning of the Romantic era.
Beethoven not only uses harmony much more freely than his contemporaries, he writes distant modulations, chromatic alterations, enharmonic modulations, etc... The harmony and motivic ideas are used in a very expressive, passionate & energetic manner. You have these extremes of dark & sombre sound elements mixed with heroic outburst and passionate propelling developments, a true masterpiece.

Full pdf analysis: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=3320377

Performance: Pavaali Jumppanen

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 INTRO
00:28 intro "orchestral" theme
01:16 bright transformed theme
02:16 Quiescenza Rocket Theme
02:44 Second lyrical Theme
03:11 Third theme (relative major)
03:30 Codetta theme
#beethoven #sonata #analysis