Beethoven Basics
Classical Sonata 101
Moonlight Sonata Facts
Movement Breakdown
The Sonata as Conversation
100

This is the year Beethoven was born.  

What is 1770?

100

Classical sonatas were most often written for this solo instrument.  

What is the piano?

100

The Moonlight Sonata was composed in this year.  

What is 1801?

100

The first movement is marked “Adagio ______.”  

What is sostenuto?

100

Sonatas are designed for one or two performers, allowing this kind of communication.  

What is direct musical communication?

200

Beethoven was born in this German city.  

What is Bonn?

200

Most classical sonatas have this many movements.

What is 3–4 movements?

200

Beethoven dedicated the Moonlight Sonata to this countess.  

Who is Giulietta Guicciardi?

200

The second movement is described as light and gentle and marked with this tempo.  

What is Allegretto?

200

Sonatas differ from this type of ensemble music, which involves group interaction.  

What is chamber music?

300

At age 22, Beethoven moved to this musical capital.  

What is Vienna?

300

These two composers are highlighted as key figures in the piano sonata repertoire.  

Who are Mozart and Beethoven?

300

The nickname “Moonlight” was given by this poet after Beethoven’s death.  

Who is Ludwig Rellstab?

300

The third movement uses this dramatic Classical form.  

What is sonata‑allegro form?

300

Beethoven’s sonatas are valued for their individual expression within this Classical element.  

What is classical form?

400

Beethoven began losing this sense in his twenties.  

What is his hearing?

400

Sonatas were popular with amateurs at home and with these performers in concerts.  

Who are composer‑performers?

400

Moonlight Sonata is part of this opus number.  

What is Op. 27?

400

The first movement features this texture: melody with active accompaniment.  

What is homophonic texture?

400

The presentation says formal expectations create this in Beethoven’s music.  

What are power and passion?

500

This is the name of Beethoven’s only opera.  

What is Fidelio?


500

A sonata is described in the presentation as this kind of musical interaction.  

What is a conversation?

500

Beethoven labeled it “Sonata quasi una fantasia,” meaning it resembles this.  

What is a fantasy?

500

The third movement is described with this stormy tempo marking.  

What is Presto agitato?

500

The sonata is described as an intimate version of this broader musical idea.  

What is a conversation?


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