Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 13 “Pathétique“ II. Adagio cantabile (Ashkenazy)

Adagio cantabile, second movement from Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 13 “Pathétique“ Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, commonly known as Sonata Pathétique, was written in 1798 when the composer was 27 years old, and was published in 1799. Beethoven dedicated the work to his friend Prince Karl von Lichnowsky. Although commonly thought to be one of the few works to be named by the composer himself, it was actually named Grande sonate pathétique (to Beethoven’s liking) by the publisher, who was impressed by the sonata’s tragic sonorities. The Adagio movement opens with a famous cantabile melody. This theme is played three times, always in A-flat major, separated by two modulating episodes. The first episode is set in F minor (parallel to A-flat major), further modulating to E-flat major before returning to the main theme. The second episode begins in A-flat minor and modulates to E major. With the final return of the main theme, the accompaniment becomes richer and takes on the triplet rhythm of the second episode. Quoted from Charles Burkhart’s “Anthology for Musical Analysis“ Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)