Classical Music | Cello Music

Recorded on 07/07/2004, uploaded on 04/29/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Sonata No. 4 for cello and piano in C Major, Opus 102         Ludwig van Beethoven

Over a 19-year period, Beethoven composed five sonatas for "piano and violoncello" and three sets of variations on popular tunes.  The final two sonatas were written in 1815 and published two years later by Simrock as Opus 102.  Romantic expression, formal innovation and occasional fugal textures link these works to Beethoven's final period of composition. 

The autograph manuscript of the first sonata of the set bears the heading "Free sonatas for Clavier and Violoncello," an apt description for this fantasy-like work.  Beethoven creates two main divisions to the music, each comprising a substantial slow, highly embellished introduction succeeded by a rapid sonata movement.  The opening Andante is a delicate piece in 6/8 time.  A brief, cadenza-like piano passage leads to the Allegro vivace, with its dotted main theme and expressive contrasting idea. 

After a pause, the ornamented Adagio theme is introduced, and the opening measures of the 6/8 Andante theme return.  A curt, lively motive underlies much of the interplay between cello and piano in the Allegro vivace.   Antoine Lederlin

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.