Beethoven: Sonata No. 26 in E-flat Major, Op. 81a "Les Adieux"

The Complete Sonatas of Beethoven (Live)
Joel Schoenhals, piano
www.joelschoenhals.com
Eastern Michigan University
Pease Auditorium
March 20, 2015
Greg Knollmeyer, video production
www.video.gregk...
Sonata No. 26 in E-flat Major, Op. 81a “Les Adieux” (1809/10)
In May of 1809, Beethoven’s student and patron Archduke Rudolph was forced to leave as Napoleon and the French troops invaded and occupied Vienna. Beethoven gave the work the German title Das Lebewohl (Farewell). Beethoven’s choice of German titles was intentional, so when the publisher changed the titles from German to French in the first edition, Beethoven was outraged. Beethoven wrote the first movement Farewell and the second movement Absence on the departure of the Archduke and indicated the dates in the manuscript. He then waited until Archduke Rudolph’s return to Vienna in January of 1810 to compose the triumphant final movement The Return. In the meantime, Beethoven composed Sonatas Op. 78 and 79. So, the first movement of Op. 81a actually predates Op. 78 and Op. 79.
The first movement Farewell begins slowly and features a falling three-note horn call motive that Beethoven marks with the words Le-be-wohl. The tragic deceptive harmonic motion of the third chord immediately indicates Beethoven’s feelings on the departure of Archduke Rudolph. This falling motive is used throughout the movement. The slow opening continues with dotted rhythms further lamenting his dear friend’s departure. Finally the movement breaks into heroic joy but is continually interrupted by the initial falling three notes. At the very end, one can imagine the Archduke’s horse and carriage heading off into the horizon until it can no longer be seen. Beethoven then punctuates the end of the movement with two concluding chords.
The breathtaking second movement Absence could no better express loss and loneliness. Beethoven profoundly recalls the dotted rhythmic motive from the opening of the first movement, giving both thematic unity but also the emotional sense of what one does in another’s absence - remembers.
Just like the Waldstein and Appassionata sonatas, the second movement is linked to the third movement without pause. The beginning of the third movement sounds like Beethoven’s Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 “Emperor”, which not only shares the same key, meter, and tempo but also the same dedicatee, Archduke Rudolph. This movement provides a powerful emotional conclusion to the work and celebrates his good friend’s return.
- Notes by Joel Schoenhals, 2015
Dan Harteau, piano technician
Concert Instrument:
This performance features Steinway Model D, serial number 213668. It was manufactured in the Steinway & Sons factory in Queens, New York on March 28, 1922. Presumably, it returned to the Steinway factory for additional work in the 1950s, as there are Steinway 100th anniversary medallions on the fallboard. Sampson R. Field, a former president of the New York Philharmonic and chairman of the Marlboro School of Music and Marlboro Festival in Vermont purchased the instrument in 1953. "Mr. Field headed the Philharmonic from 1978 to 1981 and was a member of its board for more than 20 years. He was an amateur pianist who occasionally played with professionals, and he worked for many years as a volunteer for several organizations that aided the growth and development of the careers of young musicians" (New York Times, obituary, 1991). AC Pianocraft of New York City acquired the piano and it was rebuilt in 2006.
Special thanks for the Eastern Michigan University Provost Research Award which made these videos possible.

[@Juscz]

A very beautiful performance of a great and technically difficult Beethoven Sonata. Very much enjoyed in particular your launch into the final movement and, from a general perspective, your overall sensitive conception of this work. Thanks for sharing!

[@bharatc.sampat6406]

Please keep recording and showcase classic pianism. Wonderful New York Steinway Sounds. Unrivaled

[@JoelSchoenhals]

Thank for your the encouragement!

[@ComtedeMonteC]

A careful and tasteful performance. Well done.