Cello Sonatas No. 1 and No. 2, Opus 5 (Beethoven)

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Ludwig van Beethoven's Cello Sonatas No.1 and No.2, Opus 5 were written in 1796, while Beethoven was in Berlin, where he met the King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm II ([1]), an ardent music-lover and keen cellist. Although the sonatas are dedicated to Friedrich Wilhelm II, Ferdinand Ries tells us that Beethoven "played several times at the court, where he also played the two cello sonatas, opus 5, composed for Duport (the King's first cellist) and himself". Although Jean-Pierre Duport was one of the King's teachers, it is now thought to have been his brother Jean-Louis Duport who had the honor of premiering these sonatas.

Both of these sonatas are in two movements, with an extended Adagio introduction preceding the opening Allegro of both of them. The movements are entitled as follows :

Sonata N°1 in F Major, Opus 5 N°1 :

1. Adagio sostenuto. Allegro
2. Rondo - Allegro vivace

Sonata N°2 in G minor, Opus 5 N°2 :

1. Adagio sostenuto e espressivo. Allegro molto più tosto presto
2. Rondo - Allegro