Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Piano Sonata No.2 in A Major Op.2 No.2
The first movement of the A major Sonata is dominated by
its first subject, which has two distinct components: a descending motif in bare octaves,
and an ascending one with contrapuntal tendencies. This theme and its offshoots provide
the material for the opening and closing sections of the exposition, and entirely govern
the pattern of the development section, which also falls into two clearly defined parts.
The function of the second subject, a pliant, chromatic theme with an accompaniment in
shimmering semiquavers, is to provide contrast, which it does by its appearance in the
unorthodox key of E minor (A minor in the recapitulation), and by its propensity for quick
modulation.
The Largo appassionato in D major which follows is
in the form of a slow rondo, the three statements of its refrain - a broad, chordal theme
supported by staccato semiquavers in the bass - being separated by two short episodes. The
third movement is an agile, whimsical Scherzo, enclosing a flowing trio in A minor shot
through with stabbing sforzati. The finale is an extended rondo, whose ambling
refrain - with its florid incipit, subtely varied at each reappearance - pays lip
service to Mozart. There is a gruff A minor episode in triplets, to which brief reference
is made in the closing pages.
© Robin Golding