
Piano Sonata No. 4 (Beethoven)

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 4, in E major, Op. 7, sometimes nicknamed the Grand Sonata, is dedicated to his student Babette, the Countess Keglevics. This piano sonata was composed in Bratislava, in 1796, in November, during his visit of Keglevich Palace in Bratislava. 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 of Beethoven. A typical performance lasts about 28 minutes.
Structure.
The sonata is in four movements:
Analysis.
I. Allegro molto e con brio.
The first movement is in sonata form.
II. Largo con gran espressione.
The second movement is in ternary form.
III. Allegro.
The third movement is in scherzo and trio form.
IV. Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso.
The fourth movement is in rondo form.