User:Wilhelm von Hindenburger/Fantasy for Piano Op. 77
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The Fantasy for piano, Opus 77, is a composition for solo piano by Ludwig van Beethoven. It was written in 1809. It is approximately 10 minutes long.
History of the work
[edit]The work was commissioned in 1807 by composer and publisher Muzio Clementi.[1] Like the earlier Appassionata, this piece is dedicated to Count Franz von Brunswick.[2] It may have been premiered at the December 1808 benefit concert[3] or have been inspired by the improvisation at said concert.[4] Ignaz Moscheles remarked that he "could not hear the fantasia without being reminded of Beethoven improvising."[5] In August 1810, the piece was published by Clementi in London, soon to be followed by Breitkopf & Härtel in November and Artaria in December. According to an Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung bulletin from 1811, this piece is related to the keyboard fantasies of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.[6]
Form
[edit]The piece is in a free, improvisatory form, but is broadly divided into two major sections. The first section contains various short contrasting themes, linked by scalar figures that modulate. The second section is a set of eight variations on a theme in B major. Although it has been described as being in G minor, such as by the Breitkopf & Härtel edition of the work, it has several modulations.[2]
Structure
[edit]First part
[edit]The first part has various themes linked by free cadenza-like modulating passages.
- Allegro - Poco adagio
The first five measures, in 4
4, present the descending scalar motive and a slow theme with triplet accompaniment, modulating from G minor to F minor.
- L'istesso tempo
The next section, in 2
4, begins in D♭ major, although with the F minor key signature, and ends on an F dominant 7th in first inversion. It is interrupted by a descending scale marked Allegro.
- Allegro ma non troppo
The dominant 7th from the previous section cadences into B♭ major, with a new, longer theme in 6
8, ending quietly on an E♭ major chord, which is suddenly interrupted by an A dominant 7th. This leads into a long cadenza that leads into the next section.
- Allegro con brio
The next theme is in D minor and in 2
4 meter. After some time, it reaches a C♯ diminished 7th, followed by an E♭ dominant 7th, cadencing into A♭ major for the next section.
- Adagio
A new thematic idea is presented in A♭ major, modulates to an F dominant 7th, which then sees the return of the descending scale, marked Ma non troppo presto, and then the Adagio resumes in B♭ minor, which eventually comes to rest on a diminished 7th again.
- Presto
Suddenly, a loud descending A 7th arpeggio interrupts for another modulation. This leads into the next theme, in B minor.
- Più presto
The third extended theme is in 6
8 and in B minor. First there is a section over an F♯ pedal point with a crescendo, before the melody itself is introduced.
- Adagio
Suddenly, the theme gets interrupted by the adagio idea that was seen earlier, now modulating into B major and leading into the second half of the work.
Second part
[edit]The second part consists of a set of variations on an 8-measure theme in B major, marked Allegretto. After the seventh variation, the descending scales seen in the first part return for a cadenza that modulates to C major. The first part of the theme is then stated in C major, but the second half instead becomes a modulation back to B major for the eighth and final variation. After the variation finishes, the descending scales make one final appearance, and a short coda, marked Adagio and based on the theme prepares for a quiet cadence. However, there is a sudden loud pair of one-octave scales in contrary motion, coming to a B. Here, the left hand plays 128th notes and even has a rare example of a 128th rest.
Tonality
[edit]The work has been considered to be in G minor, its starting key, but undergoes numerous modulations, especially in the first half of the piece. The second half, but for a section in C major, is in B major. The three extended themes of the first part are in B♭ major, D minor, and B minor.
References
[edit]- ^ Dictionnaire Beethoven. Barry Cooper, Dennis Collins. [Paris]: J.-C. Lattès. 1991. p. 419. ISBN 2-7096-1081-7. OCLC 25167179.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b "Fantasia for Piano, Op.77 (Beethoven, Ludwig van) - IMSLP: Free Sheet Music PDF Download". imslp.org. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
- ^ Sutton, John C. (1997). A Historical Study of Beethoven's Choral Fantasia Op. 80 (M.A). San Jose State University. p. 26.
- ^ Cooper 1991, p. 29.
- ^ Massin, Jean (1967). Ludwig van Beethoven. Brigitte Massin (Nouv. édition., 1967,1977 ed.). Paris: Fayard. p. 665. ISBN 2-213-00348-3. OCLC 422044730.
- ^ Brisson, Élisabeth (20 April 2005). Guide de la musique de Beethoven. Paris: Fayard. p. 490. ISBN 2-213-62434-8. OCLC 493557009.