In 1809, Beethoven composed the shortest of his three movement sonatas: the sonatina in G major, opus 79. It is the only piano sonata Beethoven himself described as a sonatina. Composed between Appassionata and Les Adieux, this sonatina may seem less significant, it still is a masterly miniature. An expression of joy clearly designed for teaching purposes. A good introduction into great music.

It was meant to be an easy piece, but the first movement, Presto alla tedesca, is quite tricky. Alla tedesca’ means in the style of the allemande, which is an early German form of the waltz. The harmonically complex development has a motif, derived from the main theme, that reminds of the call of a cuckoo. That is why this sonata is also called the ‘cuckoo’ sonata. The rustic theme in E major, forte, is repeated dolce and piano in E minor.

The second movement, Andante in 9/8-time, is a barcarolle or gondolier’s song. In the bass you hear the gondolier and in the higher register two sopranos singing a duet in the style of the Italian opera.

The last movement, Vivace, is a rondo. The A-theme uses exactly the same harmony as the opening of the opus 109. That cannot be a coincidence. The final chords are a surprise and a joke and make the music evaporate.