Piano Sonata No. 25 (Beethoven)

The second theme group in D major is based on fast scale and arpeggio passages and leads very swiftly into the forceful codetta.

It features frequent modulation as well as themes borrowed and fragmented from the exposition including the opening three note motive which is heard in the form of left-hand crossovers.

If the second repeat prescribed by Beethoven, encompassing the development and recapitulation, is observed, this brings the total performance time to around four and a half minutes.

The movement is constructed in rondo form (ABACA′ and a coda), with a two-part theme and contrasting episodes in key (B) and in rhythm (C).

A comparison of the two pieces gives a dramatic illustration of how Beethoven's piano-writing developed in the 11 years that intervened between the two sonatas.

109 theme is altogether subtler and subject to dramatic twists that lead the listener into quite unexpected harmonic territory.