Ludwig van Beethoven is famous for having ushered in the Romantic Era. His symphonies broke the classical mold, his piano sonatas explored technological advances in piano construction, and the string quartets explored new forms, harmonic areas, and thematic development. However, his earlier works explore the classical style, reminiscent of composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in their traditional, formal construction and lightness.
The Sonata, Op. 6, in D major is scored for keyboard, four hands, and is in this classical style. The Sonata was composed in 1796 before, scholars argue, Beethoven found the mature compositional voice exemplified in his first six string quartets and the early symphonies. This work, labeled Sonata, is in two movements: Allegro molto and Rondo, and lacks a slow movement. The first movement is in triple meter, structured in typical Sonata-Allegro form. He begins with a pointed, four-note motive, followed by legato themes in both voices. While the accompaniment is classical in texture with a contrasting second theme in the upper register of the piano, the extensive development section in this short movement is characteristic of the "mature" Beethoven. The second movement is a Rondo which again showcases an accompaniment that is classical in nature. In a Rondo form, the main theme, or refrain, continues to return in alternation with varied sections. Beethoven adds contrast with unexpected shifts to minor keys, such as the first modulation to the parallel minor key of D minor, accompanied by a change in texture, all while bringing back the refrain in many different forms.
Program Notes are by Kyle Blaha, a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at The Juilliard School and faculty member in the Juilliard Pre-College and Evening Division.