Pathetique Analysis
Harmony
Use of Dim 7th Chords creates Instability
Dominant Pedal in Bar 166 suggests Key Change soon
Structure
In Sonata Form
Exposition (Section 1)
Bar 11-136
C min, Eb min, Eb maj
Development (Section 2)
Bar 137-194
E min
Development begins in distant key
Recapitulation
Bar 195-310
C min, F min
More expected relationship in keys in recapitulation
Dynamics
Lots of Dynamic Variety in Bar 1-6
First Subject of Exposition is p, until final few bars, suddenly changes to forte
Vast Variety of Dynamics in Each Sonata Section
Overall, Lots of Dynamic Variety
Texture
Homophonic Texture (Specifically Melody and Accompaniment)
Exposition uses oscillating quavers all the way through
Tonality
Piece is in C min
Moves to Eb min, Eb maj, E min, C min, F min and G min
Many ongoing perfect cadences
2nd Subject of Recapitulation in F min (subject dominant)
Melody
Mostly conjunct in bars 11-19
Some use of Chromaticism
Scalic
First 2 bars are octaves apart
sequential
apart from bar 13's rhythm to bar 11
Crotchet-Dominated Melody
Bars 15-18 is Mimim-Dominated Melody
Descending Disjunct Arpeggiated Melody
Instrumentation
Piano
Piano Used in place of Early Keyboard Instruments
Fortepiano can:
- Sustain Notes
-Play with Different Dynamics
-More Variety in Articulation
-Hold Notes for Longer (Hammered, not Plucked)
-Has Wider Tessitura