Piano Sonata No. 19 in G Minor

Beethoven was one of the most powerful virtuoso pianists of his era, and much of his own piano music reflects that reality. But he was also prepared to compose works in a much simpler idiom, like the pair of piano sonatas published in 1805 as Nos 19 and 20. The sonatas’ individual numbering and joint opus number 49 both relate to their publication date. They had in fact been written down several years earlier, probably in 1796, with some of Beethoven’s pupils in mind. Although technically undemanding to play, the Sonata No. 19 is nevertheless quite often performed by professional pianists, as a short but still musically substantial contrast to other more spectacular works in a concert programme. There are only two movements: the first, in a gently paced G Minor, has a lyrical appeal and textural simplicity recalling Mozart’s style, while the brisk major-key second movement has more of the headstrong streak typical of Beethoven himself.