17
Sonata No. 17 · Op. 31 No. 2 · Movement II

Adagio

A slow movement in sonata form that does without a development. One short visit to a new key, a left hand that drums between the themes, and a climax that spreads across a stretch of music instead of landing on a single note.


— i —

A sonata form without a development

Where a development would stand, a short stretch of held harmony leads straight back to the opening. The second theme then returns in the home key, and that return is what makes the movement a sonata form.

— ii —

One key away from home

The movement stays in B♭ major apart from a single visit to the key of the dominant. The most conclusive cadences all fall at home, on the main theme; the visit to the dominant never receives one.

— iii —

A climax that is a zone

The densest, widest-ranging music is not one peak. It is an extended stretch in the recapitulation, where the main theme comes back over a new, restless left hand.


The structure

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Exposition

The main theme, a codetta of drumming octaves, a transition that carries the music to the dominant, and a song-like second theme in that key.

Retransition

A held chord, climbed one note at a time, turns the music back toward home and stands in for a development.

Recapitulation

The main theme returns in a thicker texture. The bridge before the second theme no longer leaves home, and the second theme comes back in the tonic.

Coda

The main theme's answering phrase returns once more, thinner, and the movement closes on its home note, alone in the bass.


At a glance

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Composer

Beethoven

Work

Piano Sonata in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2

Movement

II. Adagio

Key

B♭ major

Form

Sonata form without development, with coda


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Analysis and study materials published as they appear.