Musical Offerings, Spring 2019

Musical Offerings ⦁ 2019 ⦁ Volume 10 ⦁ Number 1 41 Biss states that this characteristic was also invented by Beethoven: “The power of the subito piano comes from the feeling of the natural trajectory of the phrase being interrupted, of having the rug pulled out from under you. Unsurprisingly, Beethoven absolutely loved doing this. I mean, he really practically invented the idea ” (emphasis mine). 33 Again, the reader may be surprised to learn that interrupting phrases in this way was used before Beethoven by Emanuel Bach. He implements this especially in the opening of his Keyboard Sonata in B Minor, Wq. 49/6 (Ex. 4), using both broken-off phrases and subito pianos . Like Beethoven, Emanuel Bach does not merely use this device for dramatic effect, but proceeds to develop the broken-off phrases as any other motive would be developed in sonata-allegro form. 34 Compare the opening of Emanuel Bach’s Sonata in B Minor (Ex. 4) with the opening of Beethoven’s “Pathetique” (Ex. 3). Besides the extreme dynamic changes and interrupted phrases, notice the other uncanny similarities in the openings of these two sonatas: the blending of fantasia and sonata styles, the melodramatic pauses and fermatas, and the stark contrasts between dense, powerful chords and light, suspenseful dotted rhythms. 33 Biss, Exploring Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas . 34 Schulenberg, The Music of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach , 80.