Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) wrote 10 sonatas for piano and violin. The first three sonatas (op. 12 no. 1-3) completed in 1797-1798 inherited the elegant style left by Haydn and Mozart in the classical period. As moving on to the 9th ‘Kreutzer’ sonata (op. 47) completed in 1803, declares that the violin was pacing forward to equal partnership with the piano.

This dissertation will discuss the historical background of the evolution of musical aesthetics and violin performance techniques, pointing out the changes in the role of the violin in the works of piano and violin sonatas, as well as Beethoven ’s naming pattern, the balance and virtuosity of the piece itself, all but to find out why ‘Kreutzer’ has such a classic position in Western music.

Graduation Recital Programme:

W. A. Mozart (1756-1791) Rondo for Violin and Orchestra in C, K. 373

J. S. Bach (1685-1750) Sonata for Solo Violin no. 1, BWV 1001

T. A. Vitali (1663-1745) Chaconne in g minor

L. van Beethoven (1770-1827) Sonata for Piano and Violin no. 10, op. 96

H. Wieniawski (1835-1880) Polonaise de Concert, op. 4