Piano Sonata No. 4 (Beethoven)
| Piano Sonata No. 4 | |
|---|---|
| by Ludwig van Beethoven | |
Beethoven in 1796; designed by G. Stainhauser; engraving by Johann Josef Neidl, executed for the publisher Artaria | |
| Key | E-flat major |
| Opus | 7 |
| Style | Classical period |
| Form | Piano sonata |
| Composed | 1796 |
| Dedication | Babette, Countess of Keglević |
| Published | 1796, Vienna |
| Publisher | Artaria |
| Duration | 28 minutes |
| Movements | 4 |
| Audio samples | |
I. Allegro molto con brio (7:30)
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II. Largo con gran espressione (9:34)
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III. Allegro (4:55)
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IV. Rondo (Poco allegretto e grazioso) (6:11) Performed by Artur Schnabel in 1932
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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 sonata was composed during Beethoven's visit to the Keglevich Palace. Beethoven named it Great Sonata, because it was published alone, which was unusual for the time.
Along with the Hammerklavier Sonata, it is one of the longest piano sonatas that Beethoven composed. A typical performance lasts about 28 minutes.