THE CONCEPT OF DEVELOPING VARIATION IN THE FIRST MOVEMENT OF THE PIANO SONATA OP.2/1 BY BEETHOVEN

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the relationships among the several themes and motives introduced in the exposition section of the first movement of the Piano Sonata op.2/1, by Beethoven, from the perspective of developing variation, a concept created by Arnold Schoenberg. Beethoven´s economy is especially remarkable in the thematic elaboration process, which is almost totally derived from the primordial idea of the piece (or, in Schoeberguian terms, its Grundgestalt) presented in the first two measures. The present study has as theoretical references Réti (1978), Schoenberg (1984), Frisch (1984) e Haimo (1997).
Keywords: Beethoven, Sonata op.2/1, Developing variation, Grundgestalt.