5 Reasons the First Movement of Beethovens Piano Sonata 5 is Worth

Studying

Beethovens Op. 10, no. 1 is one of his earlier work that helps set
the foundation of sonata form. In this piece, Beethoven expresses
great emotion and feeling through the techniques he uses in order to
compose the piece. Beethoven provides students a map in how to
approach this piece accurately in order to show their audiences what
he was thinking at the time of composing this piece. Furthermore, this
piece provides students the ability to understand how music works
through various examples compositional techniques. Beethovens
Piano Sonata 5 should be at the top of every young musicians list to
study in order to be a better a musician so they too can think like a
genius.
1. Its a work by Beethoven

This sonata is composed by Beethoven and through studying it, one

will get the imprint of the composer, their DNA. In studying this piece,
the compositional techniques, the emotion, and texture of Beethovens
work will be revealed. In the primary section of the piece, measures 130, Beethoven uses a forte or fortissimo dynamic marking to emphasis
big, strong playing. Looking at this detail, allows one to get the feel
that Beethovens music is very strong and heavy in his expression of
his statements. This evidence also proves why Beethoven is said to be
an angry guy!
2. Represents a full understanding of sonata form
In this work, Beethoven uses techniques, such as cadences, to help
separate the sections within the piece. For example, he uses a PAC in
measure 30 to help decipher between the primary section and the
transition. Furthermore, Beethoven follows the diagram of sonata form
by starting the exposition in (i), continuing the development, after a
short introduction in the parallel major, in (v), and lastly ending the
recapitulation in (i). Beethoven provides a student learning about
sonata a clear guide to compare the similarities of the exposition and
recapitulation by keeping things fairly identical. Lastly, the usage of
elongating V in the retransition, helps a student can an understanding
why its used and shows the difference between a normal transition.
3. Tonicization vs. Modulation

Teaching a student the difference between tonicization and modulation

is a hard task, but Beethoven makes the difference very clear in this
piano sonata. Beethovens elaborate use of secondary dominates
provides is a skillful way to show how tonicization works. In measure
267, Beethoven is tonicization the seven of G, or barrowing a chord
from another key, instead of changing the key altogether, whereas in
measure 112, he introduces a new key by increasing the use of
accidentals, raising the leading tone, and provides cadences to express
the stability of this new key. Beethovens work is a clever and
challenging way to assess a student on their clarity of tonicization and
modulation. Word to the wise
4. Expression
Beethovens emotional rollercoaster can be used as a learning tool in
order to understand the expression of a piece. In the primary area at
measures 1-30, Beethoven uses forte and fortissimo with moving
chordal changes, whereas in the secondary section, measures 56-86,
he uses piano and dolce markings which represents a contrast in
mood. Piano sonata 5 is shows how a composer creates a roadmap for
the performer by giving them all the tools to unfold what they had in
mind at the time of the composition.
5. Analysis of Compositional Techniques
Beethoven creates a foundation in order to analyze compositional
techniques within a piece. One will grasp an understanding of

harmonic chord progressions and how they work in linking various

sections of the piece together. More specifically, in measure measures
106- 113, one can see how Beethoven used chord progressions to
smoothly move to the v of C major by using a pivot chord between the
two keys. Beethoven also shows how creating a theme helps express
the development of further sections, for example, measures 31-55,
Beethoven uses the same pitches from the primary area or theme to
create a different idea. Beethoven proves to use that he knows it all
and cant be stop; he was a genius with a pen.