The Third Cello Sonata in A major is the most performed of Beethoven’s five sonatas for the instrument. It was composed during the highly productive year of 1808, which also saw the composition of the Violin Concerto, the two piano trios of op. 70 and the completion of both the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies.
Like the traditional 18thcentury and early 19thcentury sonata, it has three movements. However, the typical slow middle movement is replaced by a scherzo. The first movement begins with the cello alone playing a lyrical subject answered later by the piano. This principal theme and its subsidiary ideas are treated contrapuntally throughout the movement. The following scherzo, in the tonic minor, makes use of a syncopated main theme and a lyrical trio that is heard twice. The last movement is preceded by an Adagiointroduction in the key of E major, making up for the lack of a proper slow movement. It soon gives way to the lighthearted and energetic A major Allegrowhich forms the remainder of the finale. Notes by Joseph DuBose
Classical Music | Cello Music
Ludwig van Beethoven
Cello Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69 Play
Recorded on 07/01/2015, uploaded on 04/01/2016
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
The Third Cello Sonata in A major is the most performed of Beethoven’s five sonatas for the instrument. It was composed during the highly productive year of 1808, which also saw the composition of the Violin Concerto, the two piano trios of op. 70 and the completion of both the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies.
Like the traditional 18thcentury and early 19thcentury sonata, it has three movements. However, the typical slow middle movement is replaced by a scherzo. The first movement begins with the cello alone playing a lyrical subject answered later by the piano. This principal theme and its subsidiary ideas are treated contrapuntally throughout the movement. The following scherzo, in the tonic minor, makes use of a syncopated main theme and a lyrical trio that is heard twice. The last movement is preceded by an Adagio introduction in the key of E major, making up for the lack of a proper slow movement. It soon gives way to the lighthearted and energetic A major Allegro which forms the remainder of the finale. Notes by Joseph DuBose
More music by Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19, Third Movement (Rondo: Allegro molto)
Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101
Sonata No. 32 in c minor, Op. 111
Sonata No. 32 in c minor, Op. 111
Fantasie in g minor, Op. 77
33 Variations on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120
String Quartet No. 11 in f minor, Op. 95, Serioso
String Quartet Op. 131
Sonata for cello and piano in g minor, Op 5, No. 2
Sonata No. 5 for Violin and Piano in F Major, Op. 24 "Spring"
Performances by same musician(s)
String Quartet in a Minor, Op. 132
Sonata for cello and piano in F Major, Op. 99
Sonata in D Major, Op. 102, No. 2 for Piano and Cello
Piano Quartet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 26
Serenade in C Major, Op. 10
Piano Quartet No.2, Op.45
String Quartet Op. 131
Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70
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