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Haydn, Franz Joseph : Sonate für Klavier Nr.50  Mov.2 Largo e sostenuto

Work Overview

Music ID : 32227
Instrumentation:Piano Solo 
Genre:sonata
Total Playing Time:3 min 00 sec
Copyright:Public Domain

Commentary (1)

Author : Ooi, Kazurou

Last Updated: April 3, 2025
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Note: This article is automatically translated from the original Japanese text. The author of the original work did not supervise this translation.

As this is the second movement with an extremely slow tempo, a special counting method is recommended.

This method is called subdivision, where the eighth note is counted as the basic unit.

In this case, by dividing each beat into two and counting '1 2 1 2 1 2' throughout the measure,

accurate counting can be achieved.

The piece itself exhibits an extremely dramatic and profound aspect, employing the forbidden diminished fifth, numerous non-harmonic tones, and a Neapolitan sixth in the final ff section,

while the dotted rhythms evoke a funeral procession.

When the tempo is this slow, it becomes difficult to sustain listening to prolonged notes.

For example, the soprano G on the second beat of measure 5 extends until the off-beat of the third beat;

however, during this time, the entrance of inner voice triplets can easily obscure the sustained soprano G.

Even in such situations, one should strive to continue listening to and performing the sustained notes.

This means keeping the volume of other voices subdued.

As this is a profound and solemn piece of music, it should be performed accordingly.

Under no circumstances should it proceed in a perfunctory manner.

 

Writer: Ooi, Kazurou