First published at 14:14 UTC on June 3rd, 2023.
Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven completed his third cello sonata in 1808, with the premiere performance being given in Vienna in March the following year. The work was dedicated to Freiherr Ignaz von Gleichen…
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Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven completed his third cello sonata in 1808, with the premiere performance being given in Vienna in March the following year. The work was dedicated to Freiherr Ignaz von Gleichenstein, a German aristocrat and amateur cellist. In 1801 Gleichenstein secured a job at the Hofkriegsrat (Imperial War Council to the Hapsburg dynasty). Through this job Gleichenstein would meet the librettist Stephen von Breuning, also employed at the Hofkriegsrat, and through Von Breuning he would meet Beethoven in 1807.
Beethoven and Gleichenstein would become close friends, with Gleichenstein being instrumental in securing an annuity for Beethoven from a group of sponsors which included Archduke Rudolf of Austria. Beethoven had intended to dedicate his fourth piano concerto to Gleichenstein, but as the composition of the concerto was partially funded by the annuity, as well as being a favourite of the Archduke, Beethoven dedicated the concerto to Archduke Rudolf.
Instead, Beethoven dedicated his third Cello sonata to Gleichenstein in gratitude for the friendship and financial support Gleichenstein provided.
This sonata is comprised of three movements:
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Scherzo. Allegro molto
III. Adagio cantabile – Allegro vivace
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