Beethoven's Sonata No. 7 in D major opens with a Presto built from short descending notes, sudden pauses, and fast exchanges between the hands. The texture moves between lean octave lines, quick running passages, and forceful chords. Quiet beginnings repeatedly gather momentum, while rests and held notes interrupt the forward motion. The movement develops its opening material across a broad span before returning to D major for an emphatic close.

The pickup and opening measures introduce the descending idea in both hands. Around measures 5-20, detached octaves and short chords strengthen the pulse. A pause interrupts the phrase before the music begins moving again. From around measure 25, continuous eighth notes travel through the hands, with broken figures and changes of register replacing the opening's more separated gestures.

Around measures 55-80, a quieter melodic passage appears above a lighter accompaniment. Repeated notes and gently moving chords create a different kind of motion from the earlier scales. This quieter writing gives way to accented chords, quick runs, and more vigorous exchanges. The exposition ends with a printed repeat, so its contrasting ideas are heard again.

After the repeat, familiar short figures return in changing registers and harmonies. Around measures 145-175, the hands trade running notes against chords and held tones. The texture alternately thickens and clears, and strong accents interrupt the continuous movement. Short pauses then prepare the return of the opening idea around measure 185.

The later pages revisit the movement's contrasting textures, including the quieter melody and its accompaniment. Around measures 300-325, repeated figures and chordal answers continue the conversation. The closing stretch gathers speed through running eighth notes before the final accented chords and rests bring the movement to a firm stop.

Interesting fact: The movement begins with a pickup note before its first complete measure, so the opening gesture crosses the bar line.