Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-flat Major, Op. 31 No. 3 “The Hunt”

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-flat Major, Op. 31 No. 3 “The Hunt”

This work was composed between 1802 and 1803 and was published in 1804 by the Hans Georg Nägeli publishing house in Zurich, Switzerland. It is the only piano sonata from Beethoven’s middle period—written around the time when he confronted and overcame the anguish of his hearing loss after writing the Heiligenstadt Testament—to be structured in four movements.
The nickname “The Hunt”comes from the fourth movement: its main theme evokes the sound of hunting horns, and the tarantella rhythm that runs throughout the movement suggests the galloping hoofbeats of hunters’ horses.

00:03 I. Allegro, E-flat Major, 3/4 time, Sonata form
The first movement lacks Beethoven’s characteristic weight and seriousness and is instead light in character, yet its impression lingers in the listener’s mind for a long time.

07:54 II. SCHERZO, Allegretto vivace, A-flat Major, 2/4 time, Sonata form
The scherzo is in sonata form and is unusual in that, although scherzos are traditionally in triple meter, it is written in duple time; its rapid rhythms are played staccatissimo, giving the movement a powerful and energetic character.

12:50 III. Moderato e grazioso, E-flat Major, 3/4 time, Compound ternary form
The third movement, Moderato e grazioso, in E-flat major and 3/4 time, follows a compound ternary form and is characterized by its graceful lyricism and refined, balanced expression.

17:14 Ⅳ. Presto con Puoco, E-flat Major, 6/8 time, Sonata form
The fourth movement unfolds with a bright, radiant character like spring sunlight, while the continuously flowing triplet figures convey a sense of youthful energy and vibrant vitality.

■ Listening with the Score    • Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-flat M...  

■ (Analysis) Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-flat Major, Op. 31 No. 3 “The Hunt”
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