Piano Sonata No. 17 (Beethoven)

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Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor is a composition by Ludwig van Beethoven (Opus 31/2). It is usually referred to as "The Tempest" (or Der Sturm in his native German), but this title was not given by him, or indeed referred to as such during his lifetime; instead, it comes from a claim by his associate Anton Schindler that the sonata was inspired by the Shakespeare play. However, much of Schindler's information is distrusted by classical music scholars.

The piece consists of three movements and takes around twenty minutes to perform:

Largo - Allegro
Adagio
Allegretto

The first movement alternates seeming peacefulness with sudden turmoil, after some time expanding into a haunting "storm" in which the peacefulness is lost. The second movement in B flat major is slower and more dignified. It mimics the first movement through use of the rolling arpegio, but that is the only similarity. The third movement, in the key of D minor, is very moving, first flowing with emotion and then reaching a climax, after which the theme is repeated and sundry variations are heard. All three movements end with a sort of whisper like chord or single note.

This Sonata, though not as well known by the public, is a favorite among Beethoven enthusiasts.

by Ludwig van Beethoven
Op. 2 No. 1 \| Op. 2 No. 2 \| Op. 2 No. 3 \| Op. 7 \| Op. 10 No. 1 \| Op. 10 No. 2 \| Op. 10 No. 3 \| Op. 13 (Pathetique) \| Op. 14 No. 1 \| Op. 14 No. 2 \| Op. 22 \| Op. 26 \| Op. 27 No. 1 (Quasi una fantasia) \| Op. 27 No. 2 (Quasi una fantasia — Moonlight) \| Op. 28 (Pastoral) \| Op. 31 No. 1 \| Op. 31 No. 2 (Tempest) \| Op. 31 No. 3 \| Op. 49 Nos. 1 and 2 \| Op. 53 (Waldstein) \| Op. 54 \| Op. 57 (Appassionata) \| Op. 78 (A Therese) \| Op. 79 \| Op. 81a (Les adieux) \| Op. 90 \| Op. 101 \| Op. 106 (Hammerklavier) \| Op. 109 \| Op. 110 \| Op. 111

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