Beethoven - Piano Sonata 8, Op.13 "Pathétique" (Color-Coded Analysis)

0:00 - 1. Grave, Allegro Di Molto E Con Brio
9:41 - 2. Adagio Cantabile
15:07 - 3. Rondo: Allegro
Piano Sonata 8 In Cm Op.13, "Pathétique"
Piano: Alfred Brendel

1/27 Beethoven's Sonata 'Pathetique' (Color Analysis)
http://lvbandmore.blogspot.com/2011/01/127-beethovens-sonata-pathetique-color...

An alternate "midi" version can be found here (I actually prefer the other version): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ynAs_WwFTI

For more videos of this type see:
http://lvbandmore.blogspot.com/p/simple-visual-breakdowns-of-works.html

Introduction to Sonata Form:
http://lvbandmore.blogspot.com/p/about-sonata-form-and-analysis.html

My Analysis Cheat Sheet:
-SONATA FORM: Most common form, almost always in the 1st movement and often last movement of a work. The basic sequence is Intro, Exposition, Development, Recapitulation and Coda.
-EXPOSITION: Main theme(s) are presented, usually in the home key and then a modulated key
-THEME / THEME GROUP: musical "paragraph". These can be broken down into 1 or more "tunes". These are grouped according to key and end on cadences. The 1st Theme Group is in the home key. The 2nd Theme Group is in the dominant or other key.
-CLOSING/CADENCE SECTION: a theme group which closes the Expo or Recap (it follows the 2nd theme) and revives Theme 1 to provide closure.
-MODULATING BRIDGE/TRANSITION: material to get from 1 key/theme group to another, often w sequencing.
-DEVELOPMENT: free-form "working out"/"fantasia" section where earlier themes are subjected to variations and atomizations. Possibly a new theme is introduced ("Eroica").
-RECAPITULATION: Repeat of the Expo, except that this section remains in the same key throughout and there can be theme variations from the initial Expo versions of themes.
-CODA: Follows the Recap, kind of a second development designed to finish off the work.
-SEQUENCING: repeating a phrase on different starting notes (keys)
-TERNARY FORM: 3-part form in A-B-A, usually a Scherzo or Minuet
-SCHERZO/MINUET: 1st pt. of a 3-pt. Scherzo form, usually AA.BA'.BA' in 3/4 time. Lively.
-TRIO: Middle section of a Scherzo movement, slower, broader than the Scherzo section
-RONDO: Similar to Sonata form except that the Development is replaced by a new section and there is less transition material. A principal theme (A) alternates with contrasting themes (BCD...). (Ex.ABACABA.)
-FUGUE: form in which a subject(s) undergoes canonical permutations
-VARIATION: repeat of a theme with variation
-CADENZA: unaccompanied instrumental solo
-BINARY FORM: Structure in AB. 2-Part Song form.
(Disclaimer: I do not have a music degree, all of the above is purely from memory and observation)


1st Movement - Grave, Allegro di molto e con brio
Introduction (LIGHT GREEN)
Exposition
-1st Theme (MAROON)
-2nd Theme (BROWN)
-3rd Theme (GREEN)
Exposition (Repeat)
-1st Theme (MAROON)
-2nd Theme (BROWN)
-3rd Theme (GREEN)
Development
-Introduction reprise (LIGHT GREEN)
-1st Theme (BLUE)
Recapitulation
-1st Theme (MAROON)
-2nd Theme (BROWN)
-3rd Theme (GREEN)
Coda (LIGHT GREEN)

2nd Movement - Adagio cantabile (starting at 9:41)
1st Theme (MAROON)
2nd Theme (BLUE)
1st Theme (MAROON)
3rd Theme (GREEN)
1st Theme Variation (MAROON 2)
Coda (OLIVE)

3rd Movement - Rondo allegro (starting at 15:07)
1st Theme (MAROON)
2nd Theme (BROWN)
1st Theme reprise (MAROON)
3rd Theme (BLUE)
1st Theme Variation (MAROON)
2nd Theme Variation (BROWN 2)
1st Theme (Short Var.) (MAROON)
2nd Theme Variation (BROWN 2)
1st Theme reprise (MAROON)

(from Alan Rich's Play by Play)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• beethoven
• piano
• analysis
• Color-Coded Analysis

[oitotheworld23]

thank you once again. this is awesome and very helpful.

[MarryTheNight727]

Love how this was used in Lady Gaga's "Marry the Night" music video. <3

[kirill429]

who plays this? it is fantastic!

[TEgnoto89]

this sounds less romantic than my ex wife

[morninglory99]

This was really helpful. Thank you SO much! :D

[lvbandmore]

@RosetaClaudia Glad it helped! The Blue part is part of the Development, yes - what I mean here is that the Development uses elements from the 1st Theme. In my more recent vids I made the Development 1 color since I know this was confusing...

Development:

--Introduction reprise (LIGHT GREEN)

--1st Theme (BLUE)