Piano Sonatas No. 19 and 20 (Beethoven)

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The Piano Sonata No. 19 in G minor, Op. 49, No. 1, and Piano Sonata No. 20 in G major, Op. 49, No. 2, are short and relatively simple sonatas published by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1805 (although the works were likely composed several years earlier). These sonatas are referred to as the Leichte Sonaten ("Easy Sonatas") and were most likely composed by Beethoven as teaching pieces meant to be passed around to his friends and students. It is said that these pieces were accidentally published by his accountant during a period of financial distress.

Both works are approximately eight minutes in length and split into two movements.

[edit] Sonata No. 19, Op. 49 No. 1 in G minor

Movements:

1. Andante

2. Rondo. Allegro

The first movement is a standard Sonata-Allegro form. After the first and second theme, it moves into the recapitulation with very little development. After restating the theme in the bass with new counterpoint in the treble, Beethoven closes with a brief coda.

Demonstrating the insignificance of this work, Beethoven skips the slow movement and dance movement and moves directly to the finale, which is simply a brief, light-hearted Rondo.

[edit] Sonata No. 20, Op. 49 No. 2 in G Major

Beethoven obviously gave very little consideration to this sonata; there weren't even any dynamic markings in the autograph or first edition. It is considered the easier of the "Easy Sonatas."

Movements:

1. Allegro, ma non troppo

2. Tempo di Menuetto

The first movement is a basic Sonata-Allegro form, with its main theme based heavily on a G Major triad. Though the second movement is a slow movement, it is clearly a finale, not a central movement. The main theme of the second movement is nearly identical to that of the third movement of the Septet.

Piano Sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven

Op. 2 No. 1 | Op. 2 No. 2 | Op. 2 No. 3 | Op. 7 | Op. 10 No. 1 | Op. 10 No. 2 | Op. 10 No. 3 | Op. 13 (Pathetique) | Op. 14 No. 1 | Op. 14 No. 2 | Op. 22 | Op. 26 | Op. 27 No. 1 (Quasi una fantasia) | Op. 27 No. 2 (Quasi una fantasia — Moonlight) | Op. 28 (Pastoral) | Op. 31 No. 1 | Op. 31 No. 2 (Tempest) | Op. 31 No. 3 | Op. 49 Nos. 1 and 2 | Op. 53 (Waldstein) | Op. 54 | Op. 57 (Appassionata) | Op. 78 | Op. 79 | Op. 81a (Les adieux) | Op. 90 | Op. 101 | Op. 106 (Hammerklavier) | Op. 109 | Op. 110 | Op. 111