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Beethoven-‐ Piano Sonata in G Major, Op. 14/2 First Movement Analysis
Jonathon Feinstein
Dr. Kosar
TH241/Musicianship III
Formal Analysis #1 & #2: The Sonata Form/Phrase Structure Analysis
Development Section 1 (mm. 64-‐73): based on theme 1 mm. 64-‐67: theme 1 in g mm. 67-‐73: extension (gV7 of B♭) Section 2 (mm. 74-‐80): based on theme 2 mm. 74-‐77: theme 2 in B♭ mm.78-‐80: extension (B♭♭VII of B♭) Section 3 (mm. 81-‐98): further development of theme 1 mm. 81-‐83: fragment of theme 1 melody in bass in A♭ mm. 84-‐86: extension (A♭V of g) mm. 86-‐88: fragment of theme 1 melody in bass in g mm. 89-‐98: sequence (V of FV of E♭) Section 4 (mm. 98-‐106): based on theme 1 (false recapitulation) mm. 98-‐103: theme 1 in E♭ mm. 104-‐106: extension (E♭V of d/D) Section 5 (mm.107-‐124): Retransition mm. 107-‐114: new theme based on modal mixture of D mm. 115-‐121: fragment of theme 1 melody in D mm. 121-‐124: extension (DV of G)
Exposition Theme Group 1 (mm. 1-‐8) Phrase: 1-‐8 G: PAC Transition (mm. 9-‐25) Phrase 1: 9-‐20 D: HC (Asymmetrical Phrase 2: 20-‐15 D: HC contrasting) Theme Group 2 (mm. 26-‐47) 2a: mm. 26-‐33 Phrase 1: 26-‐29 D: HC (Symmetrical Phrase 2: 30-‐33 D: PAC parallel) 2b: mm. 33-‐47 Phrase 1: 33-‐41 D: PGC (Asymmetrical Phrase 2: 41-‐47 D: PAC contrasting) Closing Theme mm. 47-‐58 D: PAC Codetta mm. 58-‐63 D: PAC
Recapitulation Theme Group 1 (mm. 124-‐ 132) Phrase: 124-‐132 G: PAC Transition (mm. 133-‐152) Phrase 1: 133-‐147 G: HC (Asymmetrical Phrase 2: 147-‐152 G: HC contrasting) Theme Group 2 (mm. 153-‐174) 2a: mm. 153-‐160 Phrase 1: 153-‐156 G: HC (Symmetrical Phrase 2: 157-‐160 G: PAC parallel) 2b: mm. 160-‐174 Phrase 1: 160-‐168 G: PGC (Asymmetric Phrase 2: 168-‐174 G: PAC contrasting) Closing Theme mm. 174-‐187 G:PAC Coda (mm.187-‐200) Phrase 1: 187-‐197 G: IAC (Asymmetric Phrase 2: 197-‐200 G: IAC contrasting)
Written Commentary
1. The development section of Beethoven’s Sonata in G major is largely based on
the material found in Theme Group 1. We see the thematic material imitated in
different 4 different keys. Although some sections are just fragments of Theme
Group 1, the melodic content is exactly the same, in each respective key. In the
third section of the development, the theme from Theme Group 1 is found in the
bass line. There is also a short section of the development based off the motif in
Theme Group 2.
2. A false recapitulation is found in measures 99-‐104. A false recapitulation is a
compositional technique used to disguise the start of the recapitulation, but is
only used as an extension of the development section. The fourth section of the
development section might be considered a false recapitulation because the
context of the development. The first beat of measure 98 ends on a very strong
fermata of a dominant function chord, leading us to the exact theme of Theme
Group 1. Unlike other sections of the development that are based off of Theme
Group 1, this section is imitated exactly for 5 measures. The other sections
usually are just fragments of the first melodic idea and are then extended in
sequence or are somehow transitional. But this section is much more persistent
and leads the listener to think that this is the actual recapitulation. Another
reason this section is considered a false recapitulation is because it is not in G
major, the overall key of this sonata; it is in E flat.
3. The recapitulation differs from the exposition ever so slightly. In the exposition,
Beethoven modulates from G major to D major using a transition. In the
recapitulation, the transition theme returns, but this time it stays in G major. The
material from Theme Group 1, the transition, Theme Group 2a and 2b, the
closing theme and the coda are all repeated almost identically from the
exposition, but the main difference is the key and the fact that Beethoven stays
in G major. The codetta is also lengthened and reintroduces the main theme.
4. Beethoven’s Sonata in G major is very similar to other sonata form movements
of Haydn and Mozart because it uses the same overall form: exposition,
development and recapitulation. Theme Group 2 is broken into multiple
sections, which is typical of classical sonata form. This sonata is different though
due to its very expansive development section. Beethoven incorporates the main
theme many times, but varies it by adding a different texture. This sonata also
includes a false recapitulation, adding more tension to the piece, because the
listener thinks that the piece is finally coming to a close, but Beethoven finds a
way to engage the listener even more. Finally, the last cadence of this sonata is
an Imperfect Authentic Cadence. Most of the time, the piece ends on a very
conclusive Perfect Authentic Cadence, but somehow the composer finds a way
to sooth the listeners ear by ending softly with the third as the highest note.