Beethoven's "Named" Sonatas

Many of these have been given names for various reasons. As all may not be aware of these, they are listed here in order of composition.

Piano Sonata in C minor, op.13 is called the "Pathetique", because the opening C minor chord denotes the French meaning of the word as "emotional."

Sonata for Violin & Piano in F major, op.24 is called the "Spring" Sonata, referring to its gentle & lyrical character.

Piano Sonata in C# minor, op.27, no.2 is called the "Moonlight" Sonata, because the adagio is likened to a boat floating in the moonlight.

Piano Sonata in D major, op.31/2 is called "The Tempest", because when Beethoven's secretary asked
him for the meaning of this work, Beethoven is supposed to have replied "Just read Shakespeare's "The Tempest."

Sonata for Violin & Piano in A major, op.47 is called the "Kreutzer" because Beethoven dedicated it to the French violinist of that name, who, however never played it!

Piano Sonata in F minor, op.57 is called the "Appassionato" because it is coloured throughout by a tragic tone.

Piano Sonata in E-flat, op.81a, was named "Les Adieux" for it was inspired by the departure of Archduke Rudolf from Vienna.

Piano Sonata in B-flat, op.106, was named so because he used the German name for piano, "Hammerklavier" for it.

Shakespeare, Tchaikovsky & Ellington

The Bard's plays have been an inspiration to many musical composers.

Tchaikovsky's overture fantasy "Romeo & Juliet" prompted a Russian critic to write to him saying that due to the excitement on hearing the music, he spent a sleepless night! In the work, French horns represent Romeo & flutes, Juliet.

The symphonic fantasy "The Tempest", depicts the fury of the sea & tone pictures of Ariel, Prospero & Caliban. The love music of Ferdinand & Miranda is reminiscent of that between Romeo & Juliet.

The overture fantasy "Hamlet" was dedicated to Edward Grieg, the Norwegian composer. Death, symbolised by the funeral March is juxtaposed to the tender subject of Ophelia's love, recalled by the oboe solo.

If Tchaikovsky mainly dealt with episodes from the plays, The Jazz Legend Duke Ellington, mostly provides miniature tone pictures of characters in his work, commissioned by the Stratford (Ontario) Shakespeare Festival.

The title track, "Such sweet thunder", was inspired by "Othello". Next was the "Sonnet for Caesar". Next was a tribute to the Bard's history plays. Next comes a picture of "Lady Mac" (Beth). Then comes the "Sonnet in search of a Moor" (Othello again). Next is a composite depiction of the three witches from "Macbeth" & Iago from "Othello". Then comes Puck & others from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Next is "Sonnet for Sister Kate" (The Taming of the Shrew). Then a piece for "Romeo & Juliet", followed by one for "Hamlet". Next comes Cleopatra in her   barge on the Nile. To end the work, the Duke comes up with a musical tour de force, where his band progresses by the musical interval of a fourth through every musical key, depicting Shakespeare's works in the four forms of comedy, tragedy, history & sonnets. (Condensed from the sleeve notes of "Such sweet thunder" by Irving Townsend.)