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Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-flat major, Op. 26

180121 min

This guide follows Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-flat major, Op. 26 (1801) in four parts: Andante (theme and variations), Scherzo: Allegro molto (minuet and trio), Maestoso andante (ternary form) and Allegro (rondo).

Recording: Daniel Barenboim (piano)

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AnalysisComments
  1. I · Theme and variations
  2. II: molto · Minuet and trio
  3. III · Ternary form
  4. IV · Rondo
ITheme and variations0:22–9:13

A gentle in A-flat major and 3/8, made of sustained notes and dotted rhythms, is followed by five variations on the same harmony. 1 comes first, then 2. 3 is the only one in the minor, A-flat minor, and it has been heard as a pre-echo of the . 4 to the major, and 5 dissolves the into fast flowing figures before the .

  2. A
II: moltoMinuet and trio9:15–11:56
III Ternary form11:57–18:28
IVRondo18:29–21:25

Section boundaries in music are not always sharp; a transition may be felt over a pause or a held chord.

At a glance

  1. I. AndanteTheme and variations · 9 min · 219 bars
  2. II. Scherzo: Allegro moltoMinuet and trio · 3 min · 96 bars · dotted half note ≈ 94 bpm
  3. III. Maestoso andanteTernary form · 7 min · 76 bars · quarter note ≈ 52 bpm
  4. IV. AllegroRondo · 3 min · 170 bars · quarter note ≈ 123 bpm
Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-flat major, Op. 26, I. Andante: first page of the score
Full score

Questions

How long is Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-flat major, Op. 26?
About 21 min in this recording, in 4 movements: I 9 min, II 3 min, III 7 min and IV 3 min.
What form are its movements in?
I: theme and variations, II: minuet and trio, III: ternary form and IV: rondo.
How fast is it played?
In this recording, measured from the score: II dotted half note ≈ 94 bpm, III quarter note ≈ 52 bpm and IV quarter note ≈ 123 bpm.
Is there a score of Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-flat major, Op. 26?
Yes, of every movement.

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In the catalog

Ludwig van BeethovenPiano sonatasClassical periodA-flat majorTheme and variationsMinuet and trioTernary formRondo

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