Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10, No. 3 – Ludwig van Beethoven

Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven would compose the three piano sonatas that would eventually comprise his Op. 10 collection between the years 1796 and 1798. Beethoven was living in Vienna at this time, and had already gained some popularity by performing his own works in the city and gaining patronage from various nobles.

A brigadier general named Johann Georg von Browne would take note of the incredible talent that Beethoven would show in performance and composition. Von Browne was the son of an Irish officer named George Browne who enlisted in the Russian army in 1730. In 1794, Von Brown would move from Russia to Vienna and would invite Beethoven to perform at their estate several times.

Beethoven would dedicate his piano sonata No. 5, 6 and 7 to Count Anna Margaretha von Browne, the wife of Johann von Browne.

The sonata No. 7 is the longest of the three Op. 10 sonatas, and the only one with four movements:
I. Presto
II. Largo e mesto
III. Menuetto: Allegro
IV. Rondo: Allegro