RTV repertoire catalog

Beethoven - Sonata No. 16 - Op. 31, No. 1 - Third Movement

ID 4116 · Beethoven, Ludwig van · Piano · Level 8 · Points 228750

Public Domain · Download listed · Match: filters

The finale of Beethoven’s Sonata No. 16, Op. 31, No. 1, is a Rondo in G major. Its Allegretto opening presents a connected right-hand melody over a gently moving accompaniment. The theme returns with different textures, including faster triplet patterns and a broader upper line. A long closing section repeatedly slows and restarts before a final Presto brings quick gestures, sharp contrasts, and a surprisingly quiet ending.Opening refrain: The right hand begins alone with a short rising-and-falling phrase. The left hand enters beneath the sustained melody, combining bass notes with a smaller moving voice. Slurs connect the upper phrases while accents briefly emphasize individual notes. The theme moves into a higher register and gains quicker ornamental figures. Later in the opening page, the accompaniment changes to flowing triplets without losing the main melody.Contrasting episode: A transition develops short rising figures and exchanges them between the hands. The next idea has a more broken upper line, with rests and accents above longer bass notes. Repeated right-hand pairs gradually build in intensity. Sustained lower chords and running upper notes then lead back toward the refrain, now supported by a more continuous left-hand pattern.Middle development and varied returns: The central episode starts with a lower-voice entry and moves through changing harmonies. The hands trade the melody, and the left-hand triplets continue beneath held right-hand notes and intervals. The refrain later appears in a broader register with upper octave writing. Earlier contrasting figures return, increasingly supported by rolling triplets. Repeated upper notes and stronger bass chords build toward the coda.Coda and Presto: The coda begins with a quieter, more spacious version of the theme. Short phrases pause, resume at the earlier tempo, and slow again into Adagio passages. The final page introduces a Presto over a sustained low trill. Fragments of the theme jump between registers, and a repeated lower figure builds beneath detached upper chords. After several forceful exchanges, the final chords diminish to a soft ending separated by rests.Interesting fact: Near the end, the score alternates Tempo I and Adagio before introducing Presto, making changes of pace a written feature of the closing section.How to earn points for this piece:Download or purchase the sheet music.Practice the piece carefully. Watch the video example to make sure you are accurate.Record yourself on video and upload it to YouTube. Perfection is not required. A few minor mistakes are okay.Submit a link to your video here for evaluation. We will watch your performance and give you feedback. If you need more practice, we will let you know what to work on and provide additional practice suggestions. You may also submit your video publicly so other users can evaluate it.If your performance is approved, your video will be accepted and you can collect your points.