Cello Sonata No. 3 (Beethoven)

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Ludwig van Beethoven's Sonata No. 3 in A major Op.69 was written

in 1808. It consists of three movements:

  1. Allegro, ma non tanto
  2. Scherzo
  3. Adagio cantabile/Allegro vivace

in contrast of the normal sonata form fast-slow-fast.

When Beethoven first started writing his cello sonatas, his intention was in fact for the piano to be accompanied by the cello, rather than the other way around as we would now expect. As he continued to write, they became more like the orthodox form of sonata where the cello is the solo instrument being accompanied by piano. In this sonata, the piano is almost still the main focus, which takes the spotlight off the cellist somewhat and allows the two instruments to work together as equals.


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