Taught by renowned instructor
Daniel Shapiro
In this course, Cleveland Institute of Music professor of piano Daniel Shapiro explores Beethoven's Sonata in E-flat, Op. 81a "Les Adieux." The last of Beethoven's so-called "named sonatas," this sonata is often referred to by the French translation of its first movement title "Das Lebewhol," meaning "Farewell." Shapiro reveals the historical context in which the piece was composed and demonstrates how Beethoven captures his emotional and psychological states upon the departure, absence, and return of his patron Archduke Rudolph. The sonata is an emotional journey requiring advanced control over tone, dynamics, articulation, as well as brief-but-demanding double-note and broken-octaves passagework – each of which Shapiro breaks down in detail throughout Beethoven's score.
Intro: Motives and symbolism
In this lesson, Daniel Shapiro introduces you to the "farewell" motive heard throughout Beethoven's Sonata Op. 81a. The three scalar notes, "Le - be - whol" permeate the first movement, emphasizing the departure of Archduke Rudolph, before transforming in the second movement and ultimately disappearing by the third, signaling Rudolph's return.
I. Das Lebewohl (Les Adieux)
In this lesson, Daniel Shapiro walks you through the first movement of Beethoven's Sonata Op. 81s. The sonata gets its popular nickname, "Les Adieux," from the French translation of the German title Beethoven gives to the first movement: "Das Lebewhol." An opening Adagio signals the departure of Viennese Archduke Rudolph amid Napoleon's siege of Vienna in 1809 before the music gives way to a proper Sonata Allegro movement, depicting Beethoven's mixed feelings upon saying farewell to his beloved patron.
II. Abwesenheit (L'Absence)
In this lesson, Daniel Shapiro examines the harmonic and motivic significance of the 2nd movement of Beethoven's Sonata Op. 81a, depicting the feelings of loss and uncertainty during Archduke Rudolph's absence.
III. Das Wiedersehen (Le Retour)
In this lesson, Daniel Shapiro breaks down the exhilarating third movement of Beethoven's Sonata Op. 81a. The movement depicts the unbridled joy Beethoven feels upon the return of his beloved patron, which manifests itself at the keyboard in the form of technically challenging broken octaves, runs, and other tricky figurations.
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Unlock Course →American pianist Daniel Shapiro is internationally acclaimed for his authoritative interpretations of the Austro-German repertory and is a highly regarded professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
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