Piano Sonata No.18, Op.31 No.3 (Beethoven)

Movements

i Allegro, ii Scherzo. Allegretto vivace, iii Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso, iv Presto con fuoco

Notes

The Piano Sonata No. 18 in E♭ major, Op. 31, No. 3, is an 1802 sonata for solo piano by Ludwig van Beethoven. A third party gave the piece the nickname “The Hunt” due to one of its themes’ resemblance to a horn call. Beethoven maintains a playful jocularity throughout much of the piece, but as in many of his early works, the jocular style can be heard as a facade, concealing profound ideas and depths of emotion.

Performances