Page:Rolland - Beethoven, tr. Hull, 1927.pdf/176



Published for the first time in 1799, and dedicated to the Prince Carl von Lichnovsky. Although one of the few authentic titles, it is difficult to see the meaning of its bearing of the Sonata as a whole, unless indeed it is applied to the sad and dramatic introduction theme which, indeed, deserves as a leading motive to the first movement being introduced before the development section, and it ends just before the coda. The slow movement is of wonderful serenity and breathes a great religious calm. Still, it was a great offence against good feeling to make a double Psalm chant out of it as one of our cathedral organists has done. The Rondo does not quite reach the high plains of the first two movements, it was probably written much earlier; note the reflective mood again just before the final whirlwind. There is по Scherzo or Minuet in this Sonata.

The two Sonatas in this Opus, which is dedicated to the Baroness von Braun, are not very interesting. No. 9 has no slow movement. The