Piano Sonata No. 8 (Beethoven)

The Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 is a work for solo piano written by Ludwig van Beethoven. It is also called the Pathétique Sonata. It was written between 1797 and 1798. It was published in Vienna, Austria in 1799. The work is written in three movements. The first opens with a slow and serious introduction. It is followed by an quick section in sonata form. This section is driven forward by tremolando octaves in the left hand. The movement expresses a questing, uncertain mood. The second movement is a slow piece in rondo form. The third movement is a quick, melancholic rondo. Its main theme is accompanied by arpeggios in the left hand. This movement concludes with a brilliant coda.