Castle Exploration with a Hint of Masquerade

Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 5, Op. 10. No. 1, is one of Beethoven’s first period compositions and was composed between 1796-98. It is a precursor to his more famous “Pathetique” Sonata and his Symphony No.5; it is even nicknamed the “little Pathetique” as they share many of the same traits.

This sonata, along with the other sonatas of his Op.10, was dedicated by Beethoven to Anna Margarete von Browne, who was the wife of one of Beethoven’s patrons, a Russian diplomat in Vienna.

This sonata is a very energetic and fun piece to play! It is very dramatic and explosive, and has stark sudden dynamic changes throughout the piece. The dynamics can shift from double forte and sforzando, down to piano and mezzo forte seemingly at an instant. Because it is so enjoyable to play this piece, I found it difficult in the beginning to practice methodically, as I just wanted to play it through.  However, I eventually began the journey of slow, methodical and sectionalized practice. Once I began this journey, the biggest struggles that I faced were keeping a steady tempo and not rushing.  As the piece is very exciting, it was, and sometimes still is, easy to get carried away and find myself starting at the piece’s tempo marking of, “Allegro con brio,” and ending in Presto!  I also found the process of polishing the piece very difficult. This is because, with Beethoven, and other classical era composers, there are so many little details, such as two note slurs, staccatos, and crisp and clean movements, that form the piece, that one must have these details close to perfect, or the piece won’t sound right.

After finally learning and polishing the piece, the images that this piece invokes came into view. The first, fitting ironically with this Halloween season, is exploring a dark old abandoned castle and being surprised at each corner; and, the second image, more fitting with Beethoven’s time, is a masquerade party with a scavenger hunt at a palace, and everyone is having a good time while searching for the clues.