Listening Link from Laurily - JUNE

This piece was the first that Ludwig van Beethoven wrote and performed publicly. Written in 1795, when Beethoven was 24 years old, his first sonata was dedicated to his composition teacher at the time, Joseph Haydn. At first, Beethoven rejected "Papa" Haydn's musical authority, perhaps primed by abuse from his own father. Beethoven grew over the years, however, eventually regarding Haydn with warm respect.

This is one of the few "perfect" sonatas; it follows the sonata form (almost) exactly: first an exposition in which a musical theme is introduced, next a development in which some conflict or deeper complexity is added, and finally a recapitulation, in which we revisit the first theme, having learned something new along the way. In this sense, Beethoven's relationship with his teacher might also be a sonata!

Bonus: I performed the first movement of Hindemith's "Der Schwanendreher" recently. Enjoy!