First Movement

This sonata is associated with the legend that Beethoven himself described it as depicting 'a mentally ill person'. The opening is played p (piano); indeed, the opening of all movements in this sonata is p. The opening first theme consists of two elements: Motive 'a', formed by a four-note stepwise descent (D-C#-B-A), and Motive 'b', composed of three notes ascending in inversion (C#-D-F#). These two short motives are thoroughly developed throughout the four movements of this sonata to an unparalleled extent. In the first movement as well, including its second theme and small coda, the majority of the movement is derived from the former, Motive 'a'. In the first movement, this is positioned as an anacrusis, creating a rhythmic pulse. Notable features include whole notes played fortissimo in a tutti-like manner, found throughout.