BEETHOVEN'S PIANOFORTE SONATAS played by JOHN HUNT
Sonata in C minor (Op. 10, No. I) i. Allegro molto e con brio ; 2. Adagio molto; 3. Finale Prestissimo
(Dedicated to The Countess von
Browne)
THE SONATAS forming Opus 10 were written in the summer of 1798. They were inscribed to the Countess von Browne, the wife of an officer in the Russian Service. This lady appears to have been, at the time, a munificent patron and one to whom Beethoven desired to show his gratitude. This group of Sonatas belongs, naturally, to his earlier period, but the third of them is so strikingly significant of Beethoven's progress towards the independence and originality that was so soon to take possession of the real man, that it is worth noting for that reason, apart from its own intrinsic worth.
Following Opus 10 in this week's
Foundations, we are to have Opus 13, Sonata Pathetique, the first of those of Beethoven's Sonatas recognised as truly great. This time it was dedicated to Prince Lichnowsky, to whom Beethoven, at almost any time of his life, was more indebted than to others of his benefactors. This Sonata was composed in 1799, and is to be played on Thursday.
On Friday we have the two short
Sonatas making up Opus 14. These belong to the same year and are dedicated this time to the Baroness Braun. Apart from the music, the only interesting things about these Sonatas are that the first appears to have been conceived originally as a string quartet, and that both of them, according to Beethoven, have as subject ' a dialogue between a husband and wife, or a lover and his mistress' ; this is held to be particularly apparent in the last movement of Opus 14, No. 2. From a selection of half a dozen interpretations of what they are talking about, listeners may choose for themselves.
(Continued overleaf)