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Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a

“Les Adieux”181018 min

This guide follows Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a “Les Adieux” (1810) in three parts: Les Adieux: Adagio (sonata form), L'Absence: Andante espressivo (sonata form) and Le Retour: Vivacissimamente (sonata form).

Recording: Daniel Barenboim (piano)

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AnalysisComments
  1. ILes Adieux: · Sonata form
  2. IIL'Absence: · Sonata form
  3. IIILe Retour: · Sonata form
ILes Adieux: Sonata form0:20–7:47

The Farewell. The slow announces three horn-like chords with the syllables Le-be-wohl written over them, and the bass lands on C instead of resolving to E-flat. The follows, and the freezes the by leaving out its last note. Then the starts. In the , after a stormy start, a quiet contemplates the , the right hand sings it like a blessing, and the in the home .

  2. :
IIL'Absence: Sonata form7:49–11:48
IIILe Retour: Sonata form11:48–17:57

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. Les Adieux: AdagioSonata form · 7 min · 257 bars
  2. II. L'Absence: Andante espressivoSonata form · 4 min · 42 bars
  3. III. Le Retour: VivacissimamenteSonata form · 6 min · 197 bars · dotted quarter note ≈ 95 bpm
Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a, I. Les Adieux: Adagio: first page of the score
Full score

Questions

How long is Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a?
About 18 min in this recording, in 3 movements: I 7 min, II 4 min and III 6 min.
What form are its movements in?
I: sonata form, II: sonata form and III: sonata form.
How fast is it played?
In this recording, measured from the score: III dotted quarter note ≈ 95 bpm.
Is there a score of Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a?
Yes, of every movement.

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BachTrio Sonata No. 1 in E-flat major, BWV 5251730HaydnSymphony No. 1 in D major, Hob. I:11759HaydnHorn Concerto in D major, Hob. VIId:31762HaydnPiano Sonata in A-flat major, Hob. XVI:461770HaydnPiano Sonata in C minor, Hob. XVI:201771HaydnString Quartet in A major, Op. 20 No. 61772HaydnString Quartet in C major, Op. 20 No. 21772HaydnString Quartet in D major, Op. 20 No. 41772HaydnString Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 20 No. 11772HaydnString Quartet in F minor, Op. 20 No. 51772

In the catalog

Ludwig van BeethovenPiano sonatasClassical periodE-flat majorSonata form

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