Piano Sonata No. 13 "quasi una Fantasia"

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata in E-flat major "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27 No. 1, composed in 1800–1801, has four movements:

1. Andante - Allegro - Andante in ternary form, ABA. In E-flat major, middle section in C.
2. Allegro molto e vivace In C minor.
3. Adagio con espressione In A-flat major.
4. Allegro vivace

Beethoven included the phrase "Quasi una fantasia" (Italian: Almost a fantasy) in the title because the sonata does not follow the traditional sonata pattern where the first movement is in regular sonata form, and the movements are arranged in a fast-slow-fast sequence. A typical performance lasts 15 minutes.

The second movement, also in ternary form, is written with a melody of mostly quarter notes in parallel octaves. After that, it is similar to the first section, but everything the right hand does is offset half a beat later. The movement concludes abruptly in C major, similar to the ending of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 5. The overall form of this movement is similar to the second movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 6.

The fourth movement is sometimes considered part of the third movement; after the Allegro vivace section, there is a section labeled "Tempo I", and is quite similar to the third movement (although in E-flat), and after that is a very short Presto section.

External links

• A lecture by András Schiff on Beethoven's piano sonata op. 27 no. 1
• For a public domain recording of this sonata visit Musopen
• Piano Sonata No. 13: Free scores at the International Music Score Library Project.
• European Archive Copyright free LP recording of the Sonata no.13 op.27 no.1 in Eb major by Hugo Steurer, piano at the European Archive (for non-American viewers only).