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The Prestissimo which ends Beethoven's Piano Sonata in F minor, Op.2, No.1 is explosive. Exciting triplet eighth notes accompany staccato chords and contrasting legato passages. The sonata was composed in 1795 and first published by Artaria of Vienna in 1796. It is dedicated to Joseph Haydn, Beethoven's former teacher, along with Op.2, Nos.2 and 3. All of these Op.2 have four movements, a rarity in 18th century sonatas. The F minor sonata has a light texture which is similar to Haydn, however, its dramatic character and bold use of dynamics are clearly the product of Beethoven's fiery temperament. Beethoven's first eleven piano sonatas, until Op.22, are often classified as coming from his First Period of composition in which Beethoven roughly conforms to the classical traditions of Haydn and Mozart.
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