Ludwig van Beethoven is a legend. His life inspired many as one of the greatest musicians of his time became completely deaf in the course of his life but still kept composing melodious music. Beethoven’s pieces range from his 9 symphonies, piano sonatas, string quartets to opera. Every composition by Beethoven had a wonderful story attached to it. This Intelli5 is based on his five famous piano sonatas and the story behind them.
Beethoven's works are usually divided into Early, Middle, and Late periods. In this scheme, his early period is taken to last until about 1802, the middle period from about 1803 to about 1814, and the late period from about 1815.
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, commonly known as Sonata Pathétique, was written in 1798 when the composer was 27 years old. Since Beethoven started turning deaf at the age of 24, it is said it might have been written to illustrate his frustration at going deaf.
The story which is very popular is that Beethoven dedicated the work to his friend Prince Karl von Lichnowsky.
The composition was actually named Grande sonate pathétique by the publisher, who was impressed by the sonata's tragic sonorities. It is also debated whether or not the Pathétique may have been inspired by Mozart's piano sonata K. 457.
Beethoven composed the famous Moonlight Sonata in 1801 and dedicated it to Countess Giulietta Guicciardi, a pupil of Beethoven. Shortly after their first few lessons, the two fell in love. After dedicating the Moonlight Sonata, it is believed that Beethoven proposed to her. Although she was willing to accept Beethoven’s proposal, forbiddance by one of her parents prevented her from marrying him.
The original title of the sonata was “Quasi una fantasia” (It. almost a fantasy). The popular title of Moonlight Sonata actually didn’t come about until several years after Beethoven’s death. In 1836, German music critic, Ludwig Rellstab wrote that the sonata reminded him of the reflected moonlight off Lake Lucerne. Since then, Moonlight Sonata has remained the “official” unofficial title of the sonata.
This sonata was composed by Beethoven in 1804 and dedicated to count Ferdinand von Waldstein, his first protector in Bonn, the one who arranged for Beethoven to study with Haydn in Vienna. That is why the sonata op. 53 is also known as the “Waldstein” sonata.
Interestingly enough, French music lovers and critics have also named the sonata “L’Aurore”, as a result of the aesthetical significations of the work: light and serenity. The movements of the sonata can be interpreted as different moments of a day. The first movement is a pleasant yet noisy and roaring day. The second movement can be interpreted as a calm night while the third movement is the ardent dawn of a new day.
The sonata "Les Adieux", composed in 1809-10, was Beethoven's response to the enforced absence of his friend, patron and pupil Archduke Rudolph of Austria.. The sonata was dedicated to him with the following note on the manuscript: “Farewell on the occasion of the departure of His Royal Highness, the Honorable Archduke Rudolf, Vienna, May 21st 1809.” (Edwin Fischer, Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas). The French attack on Vienna, led by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1809, forced Beethoven's patron, Archduke Rudolph, to leave the city. Each part bears a distinct title: Farewell, Absence, and Return.
Not much is known behind the story of this sonata except that it was dedicated to Franz Brunswick, Theresa’s brother. Theresa was a friend and student of Beethoven’s. Also, the theme of the finale was composed during a stroll in the surroundings of Dobling. In Appassionata, Beethoven rendered the richness of nature’s forces and the immense power of man who manages to overcome it.
