|
The Largo Appassionato second movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata in A, Op.2, No.2 is truly inspired. It opens magically with solemn sustained chords paced by measured staccato notes in the bass. This, of course, is just the seed for what is to grow increasingly bold and moving. The shift from D major to D minor at the climax is dramatic. This sonata is far grander than Op.2, No.1. According to Denis Matthews, "The time-scale is luxurious, the harmonic progress leisurely; its humor ranges from the playful to the ferocious, with a few challenging outbursts of virtuosity that are offset by the surprisingly gentle ending of the final movement." The sonata was composed in 1795 and first published in 1796 by Artaria in Vienna. As with all three Op.2 piano sonatas, it is dedicated to Beethoven's former teacher Joseph Haydn. 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.
|