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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 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)
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