Flute Sonata in B-flat major (attributed to Beethoven)

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The Flute Sonata in B-flat major, Anh. 4[a] is a composition for flute and keyboard attributed to Ludwig van Beethoven found amongst his papers after his death. It remained unpublished until 1906.

Background[]

Following Beethoven's death, a number of unpublished works were discovered amongst his papers including the Piano Trio, WoO. 38, the Piano Sonata, WoO. 51, the and this sonata for flute and keyboard.[1] Alexander Thayer noted that when the sonata was discovered, the manuscript was not in Beethoven's handwriting, making attribution to the composer problematic.[2] Musicologist Willy Hess argued that Beethoven would not have retained the work in his papers unless he had some personal connection with the composition.[3]

The manuscript was initially obtained by Artaria & Co., who elected not to publish the composition.[2] The sonata was finally published in 1906 by Breitkopf & Härtel. The current location of the manuscript is unknown.[4]

Structure[]

The composition is in four movements.

  1. Allegro
  2. Polacca (polonaise)
  3. Largo
  4. Thema mit variationen: Allegretto

Typical performances last around 22 minutes.

Carla Rees, in a review of a recording of the sonata released by Naïve Records in 2008 noted that the sonata is a true duo with both instruments sharing in the melodic material. She also speculated based on the writing for the flute that the work may have been a transcription of a violin sonata.[4]

References[]

Notes
  1. ^ "Anh." denotes "Anhang" or "appendix" to the catalogue.
  1. ^ Watson 2012, p. 288
  2. ^ a b Thayer 1921, p. 138
  3. ^ Anderson 2018
  4. ^ a b Rees 2008
Sources
  • Anderson, Keith (2018). Beethoven, L. van: Flute Works, Vol. 2 (CD). Naxos. 8.573570.
  • Rees, Carla (2008-04-08). "Review: Music For Flute (Naive V5128)". Musicweb International. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  • Thayer, Alexander Wheelock (1921). The Life of Beethoven. Vol. 1. New York: G. Schirmer, Inc.
  • Watson, Angus (2012). Beethoven's Chamber Music in Context. Woodbridge: Boydell Press. ISBN 978-1-84383-716-9.

External links[]


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