Page:Rolland - Beethoven, tr. Hull, 1927.pdf/204

172 the "early-period" style. The first movement is full of serene happiness. The Adagio has a lovely theme, dreamy and languorous as a summer's day. The Scherzo is characteristic, full of fun and oddity; the Rondo, full of good spirits, the chief theme being varied at each return.

This is the first of a set of three Sonatas dedicated to the Kaiser Alexander I. With this Opus the true individuality of Beethoven is manifested. Although the opening of this work is not particularly striking, yet the movement has a clarity of style and delicacy of workmanship together with distinct melodic charm. The theme of the Adagio is of great beauty, caressing in its tenderness. For the Finale, Beethoven turns to his beloved Variations form. This was not the original Finale which was "lifted" in a moment of haste to form the conclusion of the Kreutzer Sonata. Still, one cannot deny that the present variations suit this charming poetical sonata much better than the Finale of the Kreutzer would have done.