The second of Beethoven’s Opus 14 Piano Sonatas might seem slight and perhaps even dainty, but it abounds with witty surprises. The rhythmically disorienting first movement becomes a coy and teasing romantic romp through a meadow in spring.
An unexpected march-like theme in the second movement Andante is followed by three variations, the last of which turns unexpectedly lyrical, but then the movement ends with a loud chord-pounder.
The stop-and-go third movement Scherzo also blossoms into an unexpected cantabile and reveals itself to be in rondo form. The soft ending at the end is as much of a surprise as the loud ending of the Andante.
#Beethoven250 Day 108
Piano Sonata No. 10 in G Major (Opus 14, No. 2), 1798
British pianist Philip Edward Fisher performs at an event hosted by radio station WQXR.