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Ludwig van Beethoven

Piano Sonata No. 4 (Beethoven)

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 4, in E major, Op. 7, sometimes nicknamed the Grand Sonata, was written in November 1796 and dedicated to his student Babette, the Countess Keglević. The

Structure#

The sonata is laid out in four movements:

I. Allegro molto e con brio#

The first movement is in sonata form.

II. Largo con gran espressione#

The second movement is in ternary form.

III. Allegro#

The third movement is in scherzo and trio form.

IV. Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso#

The fourth movement is in rondo form. This movement of the sonata in particular was featured in the documentary Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037.

  • A direct link to its audio file: A lecture recital by András Schiff on Beethoven’s piano sonata, Op. 7
  • For a public domain recording of this sonata visit Musopen
    • Discussion and analysis
  • European Archive Copyright-free LP recording of the Sonata no.4 op.7 in E♭ major by Hugo Steurer, piano at the European Archive (for non-American viewers only).
Composer
Ludwig van Beethoven