Beethoven Background & Slow Intro

Background to Beethoven & the Pathetique Sonata

Multiple Choice

Where was Beethoven born?

• Vienna

• Berlin

• Bonn

• Salzburg

Multiple Choice

Who was one of Beethoven's most generous patrons, to whom he dedicated the Pathetique Sonata?

• Karl Von Lichnowksky

• Margrave of Brandenburg

• Anton Von Stadler

• Archbishop of Salzburg

Multiple Choice

When was the Pathetique Sonata written?

• 1752

• 1798

• 1820

• 1892

Multiple Choice

In which European city did Beethoven spend most of his working life?

• Vienna

• Berlin

• Bonn

• Salzburg

Multiple Choice

What key is his sonata written in?

• C major

• A minor

• G major

• C minor

Multiple Choice

What type of chord does Beethoven use to create tension?

• Dominant 7th

• Diminished 7th

• Augmented 7th

• Minor 7th

Multiple Select

Tick THREE features that make the sonata full of drama and intensity

• Contrapuntal TEXTURES

• Wide dynamic range

• Wide range of piano

• f or ff dynamic all the way through

• Sudden accents

Multiple Choice

The intensity of this sonata looks towards which musical period?

• Classical

• Romantic

• 20th Century

• Renaissance

Multiple Choice

What is the marking of the opening introduction?

• Largo

• Larghetto

• Grave

• Grazioso

The fortepiano

Have a listen to the following video which talks about the differences of the fortepiano (which Beethoven was writing for) in comparison to our modern day piano.

Listen to the Slow Intro

Have a listen to the slow introduction and follow the annotated score.