TITLE: Sextet in Eb for Winds, opus 71 (c.1796)

COMPOSER: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Beethoven was born in Bonn,Germany. His family life was stressful, for his father would drink to excess and expect the young Ludwig to perform like the famous prodigy, Mozart. Beethoven held positions in the court theater and the Electoral chapel as harpsichordist, where he studied music with the court organist. In 1787, during a visit to Vienna , his work was heard and adored by Mozart, however, his mother's illness forced him to return to Bonn. By the time he had returned to Vienna in 1792, Mozart had passed away. He then went to study composition with Haydn and Albrechtsberger. His debut Vienna performance, where he played his Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat, resulted in popularity and respect. A few years later, Beethoven composed the Sextet in Eb for Winds in just one night.

MOVEMENTS: Four

1. Adagio-Allegro 7' 31"
2. Adagio 4' 01"
3. Menuetto quasi allegretto 2' 52"
4. Rondo (Allegro) 4' 02"

PERFORMANCE TIME: 18' 26"

INSTRUMENTATION: 6 Instruments

• 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, 2 Horns

EDITIONS: Available for Purchase

• Schott Music Corporation, New York City, NY

COMPOSITION SKETCH AND MUSICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Beethoven wrote about his Sextet in a letter to his friend and colleague, Breitkopf. He says,

"The Sextet belongs to my earlier work, and was , moreover written in a single night There is nothing more to be said, but that it is the work of an author who has done at least a few better things, yet for many people these are best."

Beethoven's development of ideas in the Sextet is not as profound and complex as it is in later works, but the piece is full of feeling , joy, humor and art. After a slow introduction, Beethoven begins his allegro with a playful minuet. The minuet employs two themes, the second being similar to one used in his Eroica Symphony. The second movement passes one lovely melody to another, from instrument to instrument. The music seems to tell a story, creating a sonority that is similar to that of a string section. The third movement opens with hunting horn calls and follows a similar form to Beethoven's later scherzos. The trio of this movement hosts a canon between the clarinets and bassoons. The final movement is a rondo. This movement sounds like a children's march. This is children's music at its best. The melodies and repeating march rhythms are light and playful.

SELECTED RECORDINGS:

RELATED WEBSITES:

Beethoven's Biography - http://www.ida.his.se/ida/~a94johal/beethoven/beet.html

Beethoven's Illustrated Biography - http://austria-tourism.at/personen/beethoven/index.html

Beethoven Midi Files - http://www.unheardbeethoven.org/