This is a concise and dramatic movement and representative of the compositional style of Beethoven around 1800 whilst the movement itself dates from 1803. The score is marked Presto and the realisation plays back at 108 dotted half note (minim) beats to the minute. The music needs to be played with a sense of one in a bar. The repeats are also played in the realisation and the music editor suggests that they should be played as the piece is being studied. Much can be learnt about Beethoven’s craft as a composer from this relatively short movement. Slow very accurate playing is needed in the first instance before building up to performance tempo. It is an excellent piece to evaluate and improve piano technique. It is a type of piece that a pianist needs to return to every once and a while both to refresh and improve. Much of the movement needs to be played with a lightness in the hands. The edited sheet music score has suggested fingering in place. The sustaining pedal is used in some of the sections and the music editor suggests a change of pedal with each change of harmony.
