Piano Sonata No. 21 (Beethoven)
Piano Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Piano Sonata No. 21 (Beethoven)?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53, known as the Waldstein, is one of the three most notable sonatas of his middle period (the other two being the Appassionata, Op. 57, and Les Adieux, Op. 81a). Completed in summer 1804 and surpassing Beethoven's previous piano sonatas in its scope, the Waldstein is a key early work of Beethoven's "Heroic" decade (1803–1812) and set a standard for piano composition in the grand manner.
Piano Sonata No. 21 | |
---|---|
by Ludwig van Beethoven | |
Other name | Waldstein |
Key | C major, F major (second movement) |
Opus | 53 |
Form | Piano sonata |
Composed | 1804 |
Dedication | Count Ferdinand Ernst Gabriel von Waldstein |
Movements | Three |
The sonata's name derives from Beethoven's dedication to his close friend and patron Count Ferdinand Ernst Gabriel von Waldstein, member of Bohemian noble Waldstein family (Valdštejn). It is the only work that Beethoven dedicated to him.[1] It is also known as L'Aurora (The Dawn) in Italian, for the sonority of the opening chords of the third movement, thought to conjure an image of daybreak.
It is considered one of Beethoven's greatest and most technically challenging piano sonatas. The first section of the rondo requires a simultaneous pedal trill, high melody and rapid left hand runs, and the coda features glissando octaves written in dialogue between the hands.
An average performance of the entire Waldstein lasts about twenty-five minutes.