Wkbk: pp. 222 – 232
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor (“Pathetique”), Op. 13, III (Listen)
Your analysis should include the following:
- A Roman numeral harmonic analysis of mm. 1 – 17. (you need the practice)
- A voice-leading reduction of mm. 1 – 17. (ditto)
- An analysis of the movement’s sectional and overall tonal scheme, e.g., provide a schematic diagram, showing the section – A, B, C, etc. – along with the tonal areas. Also show transitions and retransitions. Clearly label your diagram with measure numbers to show sections start/end and trans/retrans points.
- Discuss your diagram – especially anything unique about the tonal scheme, etc.
Remember, formal sections usually end with a perfect authentic cadence. Listen/Look for these as guides, remembering that the A section cadences several times before it really ends. The B section might do the same thing. Also, retransitions usually occur before returns of the refrain (A section). The A sections are pretty easy to spot, so look back from them to find V7 prolongations. These V7 prolongations (which may be elaborated with cadential 6/4’s, etc.) serve as the retransitions. There will be brief transitions leading to the B sections, which don’t start with nearly the bang of the A or C sections.
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