Full Description
Donat's vast expertise provides unique insight into the history and genesis of key works in the chamber music repertoire.
This is the first full-length study in English of an important area of Beethoven's output that has seldom been explored in detail. The principal compositions covered are the violin sonatas, cello sonatas and piano trios of the composer's maturity, ranging chronologically from the three piano trios op.1, to the two cello sonatas op.102 which stand on the threshold of his last period. The repertoire includes some of Beethoven's most famous chamber pieces, among them the 'Spring' and 'Kreutzer' violin sonatas, and the 'Ghost' and 'Archduke' piano trios.
The works are analysed in detail with the help of copious music examples, and are placed in their historical context through extracts from letters and contemporary reviews. The book provides performers, music students and music lovers with an insight into the history and genesis of some of the greatest works in the chamber music repertoire.
Contents
List of Illustrations
Foreword by Alfred Brendel
Preface and Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. Prelude: Early Years in Bonn
3. The Three Piano Trios Op.1
4. Interlude 1: The Quintet for piano and wind instruments op.16
5. Works for piano and cello, 1796-1801
6. Interlude 2: The Clarinet Trio op.11
7. Sonatas for piano and violin, 1798-1800
8. Interlude 3: The Horn Sonata op.17
9. Sonatas for piano and violin, 1802-1803
10. Works of 1807-1808
11. Works of 1810-1812
12. Works of 1815-1816
13. Postlude: Beethoven and George Thomson
Bibliography
Index of works by Beethoven
General index
