It is in binary form: a (measures 1-8) + b (measures 9-16).

The key is F minor. The left hand provides an accompaniment of open fifths, creating a powerful sound. In the first section (a), expression is primarily achieved through changes in the harmonic sonorities of the tonic and dominant chords, rather than through melody. In the latter section (b), movements containing melodic elements such as stepwise motion (A♭→B♭→C in whole notes) or ascending/descending motion by a second (A♭→B♮→A♭) are observed. Harmonically, measure 14 features an augmented sixth chord (with a lowered fifth) on the tonic (where the tonic acts as a pedal point), which functions as a double dominant. However, this can also be interpreted as an elaborated appoggiatura that has been harmonized. Therefore, one could choose to emphasize the change in measure 14, or conversely, to approach the cadence smoothly without emphasizing it.