Piano Sonata No. 17 (Beethoven)
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The Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Opus 31 No. 2, was composed in 1801/02 by Ludwig van Beethoven. It is usually referred to as "The Tempest" (or Der Sturm in his native German), but this title was not given by him, or indeed referred to as such during his lifetime; instead, it comes from a claim by his associate Anton Schindler that the sonata was inspired by the Shakespeare play. However, much of Schindler's information is distrusted by classical music scholars.
The piece consists of three movements and takes approximately twenty-five minutes to perform:
- Largo - Allegro
- Adagio
- Allegretto
Each of the movements is in sonata form, though the second lacks substantial development. The first movement alternates seeming peacefulness with sudden turmoil, after some time expanding into a haunting "storm" in which the peacefulness is lost. There is a long recitative section at the end of this movement's development. The second movement in B flat major is slower and more dignified. It mimics the first movement through use of rolling arpeggios, and many other ideas in this movement mirror the first. For example, a figure in the eighth measure and parallel passages of the second movement is similar to a figure in the sixth measure of the first. The third movement, in the key of D minor, is very moving, first flowing with emotion and then reaching a climax, before moving into an extended development section which mainly focuses on the opening figure of the movement and meanders through many keys and dynamics, before entering the recapitulation and coda (which is also quite substantial).
This Sonata, though not as well known by the public, is a favorite among Beethoven enthusiasts.
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