Cello Sonatas No. 4 and No. 5, Opus 102 (Beethoven)
Encyclopedia
The Sonatas for cello and piano No. 4 in C major
, Op. 102, No. 1, and No. 5 in D major, Op. 102, No. 2, by Ludwig van Beethoven
were composed simultaneously in 1815
and published in 1817
with a dedication to the Countess Maria von Erdödy, a close friend and confidante of Beethoven's.
until 1817, during which time Beethoven, ailing and overcome by all sorts of difficulties, experienced a period of literal and figurative silence as his deafness became overwhelmingly profound and his productivity diminished.
Sonatas Nos. 4 and 5 were composed seven years after his Cello Sonata No. 3
and clearly belong to Beethoven’s last creative period. His use of the fugue
in the conclusion of Sonata No. 5 is moreover an unmistakable hallmark of this period in Beethoven’s creative life. A fugue is similarly noteworthy in the finale of his Hammerklavier Sonata
, his Ninth Symphony
and his late string quartets, all justly celebrated works from Beethoven’s final period. Sonatas Nos. 4 and 5 are also notable for the complexity of their composition and their visionary character.
The critics of the time, often perplexed by Beethoven’s last compositions, described the sonatas in terms such as the following from the Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung
(reproduced In: Massin J et B, Beethoven, Fayard, 1967, p. 682):
Although played less often than Sonata No. 3, Sonatas Nos. 4 and 5 are now essential elements in the basic repertory of works for cello and piano.
with the Argentine pianist Martha Argerich
are highly regarded (DG 437514, 1993). (This recording has been reissued by ArchivMusic.)
The earlier performances of all five of Beethoven's cello sonatas by the Russian duo of cellist Mstislav Rostropovich
and pianist Sviatoslav Richter
remain standards of excellence (Philips
Duo 442565, 1961–1963).
Pablo Casals
, who became especially interested in chamber music and concertos for cello by the end of the 19th century, and performed many works that had by then become long neglected, recorded at least two complete studio sets of the five Beethoven cello sonatas in addition to a number of recordings of individual sonatas, all highly influential in respect to subsequent interpretations. The first of these sets was recorded in the 1930s, with pianists Otto Schulhof (No. 3, recorded 1930) and with Mieczysław Horszowski (No. 4, in 1936, and Nos. 1, 2, and 5, in 1939). (EMI Classics
7243 5 65185). Twenty years later Casals and Horszowski made a live recording of Nos. 2 and 5, together with a transcription for cello of Beethoven's Op. 17 Horn Sonata
, in 1958 (Philips
426105).
Casals' second complete studio set of the Beethoven sonatas was recorded with Rudolf Serkin
at the 1951 Perpignan Festival (No. 2) and at the 1953 Prades Festival (Nos. 1, 3-5). (Sony Classical
SM2K 58985).
C major
C major is a musical major scale based on C, with pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. Its key signature has no flats/sharps.Its relative minor is A minor, and its parallel minor is C minor....
, Op. 102, No. 1, and No. 5 in D major, Op. 102, No. 2, by Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
were composed simultaneously in 1815
1815 in music
- Events :*Gioacchino Rossini goes to Naples as musical and artistic director of the Teatro San Carlo.*Fernando Sor moves to London, England to try to garner some success there.-Classical music:*Giacomo Meyerbeer – Gli Amori di Teolinda...
and published in 1817
1817 in music
-Classical music:*Ludwig van Beethoven – String Quintet *Muzio Clementi – Gradus ad Parnassum Volume I is published simultaneously in London, Paris and Leipzig on March 1.*Anton Reicha – Andante for Wind Quintet no 1 in E flat major-Opera:...
with a dedication to the Countess Maria von Erdödy, a close friend and confidante of Beethoven's.
History
These two compositions were written by the composer during the period from the end of 18121812 in music
-Classical music:*Ludwig van Beethoven**Symphony no. 7 **Symphony no. 8 **Violin Sonata No. 10-Opera:*Gioachino Rossini**Ciro in Babilonia**Demetrio e Polibio**L'inganno felice**La scala di seta- Births :...
until 1817, during which time Beethoven, ailing and overcome by all sorts of difficulties, experienced a period of literal and figurative silence as his deafness became overwhelmingly profound and his productivity diminished.
Sonatas Nos. 4 and 5 were composed seven years after his Cello Sonata No. 3
Cello Sonata No. 3 (Beethoven)
Ludwig van Beethoven's Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69 was writtenin 1808. It consists of three movements:# Allegro, ma non tanto# Scherzo# Adagio cantabile – Allegro vivacein contrast to the normal sonata form fast–slow–fast....
and clearly belong to Beethoven’s last creative period. His use of the fugue
Fugue
In music, a fugue is a compositional technique in two or more voices, built on a subject that is introduced at the beginning in imitation and recurs frequently in the course of the composition....
in the conclusion of Sonata No. 5 is moreover an unmistakable hallmark of this period in Beethoven’s creative life. A fugue is similarly noteworthy in the finale of his Hammerklavier Sonata
Piano Sonata No. 29 (Beethoven)
Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major, Op. 106 is a piano sonata widely considered to be one of the most important works of the composer's third period and among one of the great piano sonatas...
, his Ninth Symphony
Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)
The Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, is the final complete symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven. Completed in 1824, the symphony is one of the best known works of the Western classical repertoire, and has been adapted for use as the European Anthem...
and his late string quartets, all justly celebrated works from Beethoven’s final period. Sonatas Nos. 4 and 5 are also notable for the complexity of their composition and their visionary character.
The critics of the time, often perplexed by Beethoven’s last compositions, described the sonatas in terms such as the following from the Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung
Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung
The Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung was a German-language periodical published in the 19th century. Comini has called it "the foremost German-language musical periodical of its time"...
(reproduced In: Massin J et B, Beethoven, Fayard, 1967, p. 682):
- "They elicit the most unexpected and unusual reactions, not only by their form but by the use of the piano as well…We have never been able to warm up to the two sonatas; but these compositions are perhaps a necessary link in the chain of Beethoven’s works in order to lead us there where the steady hand of the maestro wanted to lead us."
Although played less often than Sonata No. 3, Sonatas Nos. 4 and 5 are now essential elements in the basic repertory of works for cello and piano.
Sonata No. 4, Op. 102, No. 1
This sonata consists of two movements :- Andante — Allegro vivace
- Adagio — Tempo d'Andante — Allegro vivace
Sonata No. 5, Op. 102, No. 2
This sonata consists of three movements :- Allegro con brio
- Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto — attaca:
- Allegro — Allegro fugato
Notable Recordings
In a plentiful discography, the interpretations by the Latvian cellist Mischa MaiskyMischa Maisky
Mischa Maisky is a Latvian cellist.Maisky began studies at the Leningrad Conservatory and later with Mstislav Rostropovich at the Moscow Conservatory whilst pursuing a concert career throughout the Soviet Union. In 1966 he won 6th Prize at the Moscow International Tchaikovsky Competition. In 1970,...
with the Argentine pianist Martha Argerich
Martha Argerich
Martha Argerich is an Argentine pianist.-Early life:Argerich was born in Buenos Aires and started playing the piano at age three...
are highly regarded (DG 437514, 1993). (This recording has been reissued by ArchivMusic.)
The earlier performances of all five of Beethoven's cello sonatas by the Russian duo of cellist Mstislav Rostropovich
Mstislav Rostropovich
Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich, KBE , known to close friends as Slava, was a Soviet and Russian cellist and conductor. He was married to the soprano Galina Vishnevskaya. He is widely considered to have been the greatest cellist of the second half of the 20th century, and one of the greatest of...
and pianist Sviatoslav Richter
Sviatoslav Richter
Sviatoslav Teofilovich Richter was a Soviet pianist well known for the depth of his interpretations, virtuoso technique, and vast repertoire. He is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.-Childhood:...
remain standards of excellence (Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
Duo 442565, 1961–1963).
Pablo Casals
Pablo Casals
Pau Casals i Defilló , known during his professional career as Pablo Casals, was a Spanish Catalan cellist and conductor. He is generally regarded as the pre-eminent cellist of the first half of the 20th century, and one of the greatest cellists of all time...
, who became especially interested in chamber music and concertos for cello by the end of the 19th century, and performed many works that had by then become long neglected, recorded at least two complete studio sets of the five Beethoven cello sonatas in addition to a number of recordings of individual sonatas, all highly influential in respect to subsequent interpretations. The first of these sets was recorded in the 1930s, with pianists Otto Schulhof (No. 3, recorded 1930) and with Mieczysław Horszowski (No. 4, in 1936, and Nos. 1, 2, and 5, in 1939). (EMI Classics
EMI Classics
EMI Classics is a record label of EMI, formed in 1990 in order to reduce the need to create country-specific packaging and catalogs for internationally distributed classical music releases....
7243 5 65185). Twenty years later Casals and Horszowski made a live recording of Nos. 2 and 5, together with a transcription for cello of Beethoven's Op. 17 Horn Sonata
Horn Sonata (Beethoven)
Beethoven composed his Horn Sonata in F major, Op. 17 in 1800 for the virtuoso horn player Giovanni Punto. Beethoven was not yet well-known at the time of this composition, and after the premiere of the piece, played by Punto, a critic wrote, "Who is this Beethover? His name is not known to us...
, in 1958 (Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
426105).
Casals' second complete studio set of the Beethoven sonatas was recorded with Rudolf Serkin
Rudolf Serkin
Rudolf Serkin , was a Bohemian-born pianist.-Life and early career:Serkin was born in Eger, Bohemia, Austro-Hungarian Empire to a Russian-Jewish family....
at the 1951 Perpignan Festival (No. 2) and at the 1953 Prades Festival (Nos. 1, 3-5). (Sony Classical
Sony Classical Records
Sony Classical Records was started in 1927 as Columbia Masterworks Records, a subsidiary of the American Columbia Records. In 1948, it issued the first commercially successful long-playing 12" record...
SM2K 58985).
External links
- Performance of Cello Sonata No. 5 by Laurence Lesser (cello) and Russell Sherman (piano) from the Isabella Stewart Gardner MuseumIsabella Stewart Gardner MuseumThe Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum or Fenway Court, as the museum was known during Isabella Stewart Gardner's lifetime, is a museum in the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, located within walking distance of the Museum of Fine Arts and near the Back Bay Fens...
in MP3MP3MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
format