The finale of Beethoven's Sonata No. 8 is a Rondo marked Allegro. A returning C-minor melody gives the movement its familiar starting point, while contrasting episodes explore running notes, exchanges between the hands, and quieter passages in longer note values. Broken-chord accompaniment keeps much of the music moving. Short pauses, accented chords, and changes of register repeatedly interrupt that motion, leading eventually to a brief, forceful ending.

The pickup and opening measures introduce the main melody in the right hand over left-hand broken chords. The theme combines longer notes with short answering figures and decorative notes. Around measures 10-20, the melody rises, then descends over a more active accompaniment. A trill and stronger chords bring this first statement to a close, followed by a quieter answer.

Around measures 25-40, a passage marked dolce uses a smoother melodic line above the continuing broken chords. The right hand then moves through triplets and longer descending runs. At several points the left hand answers with its own short figure, so the rapid motion moves between the hands. Chordal writing and repeated notes provide a change of texture before another descending run leads into a held pause.

The main theme returns around measure 60. Its familiar opening is followed by changes in accompaniment and register, with another trill near the end of the section. Around measures 80-95, a contrasting passage uses longer notes and linked phrases in both hands. The lines enter and move at different moments, creating a quieter conversation instead of the earlier continuous broken-chord pattern.

Around measures 100-120, the music becomes more active again. Running figures descend through the hands, then short rising gestures are exchanged over bass notes and rests. A forceful run leads to another pause and a return of the main theme. Later, around measures 130-150, the melodic and accompanying roles change: the left hand carries a quieter line while the right hand supplies flowing notes above it.

Around measures 155-170, repeated chords and sustained notes gradually soften before the theme returns once more. The final page builds through running eighth notes and accented responses. Near measure 200, a descending run reaches a held chord, followed by a quiet, widely spaced phrase. The last quick figure and low final chord bring the movement back to a firm C-minor ending.

Interesting fact: The finale begins with a short pickup, so its opening melody starts before the first complete bar.