Beethoven was a musician across the times that inherited the Classical period and ushered the Romantic period. Among his numerous works of various musical genres, he passed down the spirit of Amadeus Mozart, further developed Joseph Haydn's theme-composing skills, endowing music with vigor and creativity. Although he wrote only ten Piano and Violin sonatas, the works, as well his piano sonatas, soon all became classics of the musical genres.

In 1798/1799, he composed the first sonata "Sonata No.1 for Piano and Violin, Op. 12". It took Beethoven 15 years to complete these ten sonatas. The first three, which were finished in his early period (1770-1802), are quite different from No.4 to No.10, which are works of middle period, in terms of maturity and composing skills. Taking Arcangelo Corelli’s sonatas as models, he successfully put violin on a par with piano. Finally, with the completion of Sonata No.9 for Piano and Violin, Op. 47, ”Kreutzer” in 1803, violin went beyond accompaniment.

This thesis takes Sonata No.1 for Piano and Violin, Op. 12 for example. The first chapter explores the background and the evolution of piano and violin sonatas in the nineteenth-century upon the creation of the (master)piece. The second chapter probes into the structure, analyzing the phrasing, the rhythm arrangement, tonal and the harmony progression. The third chapter looks into the coordination of piano and violin, finding a way to leverage the two instruments for a more profound interpretation of music and a more intimate partnership.

Chieh-Yu Lai Violin Recital

W. A. Mozart (1756-1791): Sonata for Piano and Violin in F Major, KV 376

J. S. Bach (1685-1750) : Partita No.2 for Violin Solo in d minor, BWV 1004, Ciaccona

A. Dvořák (1840-1904): Romance in f minor, Op.11

S. Prokofiev (1891-1953) : Five Melodies for Violin, Op.35bis

H. Wieniawski (1835-1880) : Theme and Variation in a minor, Op.15