Für Elise, WoO 59 -- Urtext

Beethoven, Ludwig van (1770-1827)

Beethoven's unforgettable Für Elise (Intermediate)! ♥

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Includes : One solo score (4 pages)

Difficulty level : Grade 7/12

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Program Notes on Für Elise, WoO 59 -- Urtext by Beethoven :

Für Elise, WoO 59 is certainly one of Beethoven's most famous works for solo piano.

It was first published in 1867 under the title Clavierstück in A moll [Keyboard piece in A minor].

However, the autograph bears the title Für Elise am 27 April 1810 zur Erinnerung von L. v. Beethoven [For Elise on April 27, 1810, as a remembrance of L. v. Beethoven].

Beethoven scholars do not know for certain who this Elise was. The most probable theory is that Beethoven originally entitled his work Für Therese, for Therese Malfatti von Rohrenbach zu Dezza (1792-1851), whom Beethoven intended to marry in 1810 but who declined his proposal. Upon first publication of the work, its discoverer Ludwig Nohl mistranscribed the title as Für Elise. The autograph has been lost.

The piece is written in 3/8 time and has the following musical form :

Mm. 1-8 : Phrase 1 of the theme in A minor, a quiet melody played by the right hand accompanied by arpeggios in the left hand
Mm. 9-14 : Phrase 2 of the theme, in C Major
Mm. 15-22 : Phrase 1 returns in A minor
Mm. 23-37 : Contrasting section in F major, modulating to C Major and back to A minor
Mm. 38-58 : Theme returns (phrases 1-2-1)
Mm. 59-81 : Contrasting agitated section set over a pedal point on A and ending in arpeggios and a chromatic descent
Mm. 82-end : Theme returns(phrases 1-2-1)

Please note that scholars do not agree as to whether there should be a D or an E in measure 7 (second note, right hand) and in subsequent similar passages. However, most modern editions show a D, as we do here.

This score contains suggestions for performing the ornaments in accordance with the performance practice of Beethoven's time :

Measure 23 : double appogiatura : must start ON the beat
Measure 26 : appogiatura : must start on the beat and take half the value of the following note
Measure 29 : a turn can be added here

Note also that in measure 74, some editions show an E instead of an F in the second chord of the right hand. As Beethoven's sketch is unclear, we agree with most modern editions and show an F here.

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Composer :	Beethoven, Ludwig van (1770-1827)	Opus/catalog number :	WoO 59
Movements :	Poco moto	Composition/First publication :	Classical period
Instrumentation :	Piano	Style :	Classical (1730-1820)
Key :	A minor	Duration :	02:05
Edition :	Urtext (ed. M.A. Caux)	Difficulty :	Grade 7/12

Für Elise, WoO 59 -- Urtext

Beethoven, Ludwig van (1770-1827)

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