Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (SJHSS)
Volume-6 | Issue-02 | 48-52
Review Article
Form in Beethoven’s Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 24
Ceyla Ganioğlu
Published : Feb. 11, 2021
Abstract
“Spring” Op. 24 by Beethoven is one of the most famous classical sonatas for violin and piano. It can also be seen as the mirror of the composer’s creative and philosophical personality. Among the 10 violin sonatas by Beethoven, the ‘’Kreutzer’’ and the “Spring” are played the most. This sonata is in F Major tonality. Beethoven composed it between 1800 and 1801, and dedicated to count Moritz von Fries. One of the most notable features is that it contains many dialogues between the two instruments. Most of Beethoven’s works are homo-thematic. Beethoven Sonatas are an essential part of the violin repertoire in that they challenge the players’ musical and technical abilities. According to Lewis Lockwood, in his first period works as in Sonata Op. 23, piano had the biggest role. But in Op. 24 Sonata this feature had changed and the Piano and Violin have equal roles. Both instruments have melodic and thematic parts and the balance between them has an influence on the beauty of this Sonata. Before the “Spring” Sonata, Beethoven always presented the main theme in the piano. One of the most visible differences in this Sonata is that the main theme is presented by the Violin. He composed also one more movement named ‘’Scherzo and Trio’’ and made a 4 movement Sonata. This Sonata could also be seen as a role model to Op. 30 No. 1 C Minor Violin Sonata and Op. 69 A Major Violoncello Sonata. According to the Beethoven biographer Wilhelm von Lenz, Beethoven’s creative periods can be divided into three: First period shows influences by Mozart and Haydn in musical form, harmony and tonal relationships. Middle period is most commonly referred as “escape” because he was searching for a way to escape from Haydn and Mozart’s styles. Op.24 Spring Sonata is between first and middle period of his works. Because of this, Spring Sonata has effects of new techniques but still has Mozart influences. According to Lewis Lockwood, Beethoven wanted to create extraordinary elements of beauty in this Sonata, so he used special techniques of his previous works as well as other composers [ ]. This sonata and some of his other works show Beethoven’s love to his country and to the beauty of nature. Many researchers have not found information about the name of this Sonata. Lewis Lockwood said that people started to use this name in 1860s. According to him this name “Spring” is the most suitable one to show elegant melodic structure.