Cello Sonata No. 3 (Beethoven)

The Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69, is the third of five cello sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven. He creared it in 1807–08, during his middle period.  It was first played in 1809 by cello player Nikolaus Kraft and pianist Dorothea von Ertmann, a student of Beethoven. Made public by Breitkopf & Härtel the same year, it was dedicated to Freiherr Ignaz von Gleichenstein, Beethoven's friend. 

An early print of the sonata called it "Sonata / per il / Clavicembalo con Violoncello / composta / dal Sig=r / Luigi van Beethoven". The third sonata has been called the first cello sonata to give the piano and cello equal parts. It has been played often.

 Structure and music 

The sonata has three movements:
Allegro ma non tanto
Scherzo. Allegro molto (in A minor)
Adagio cantabile – Allegro vivace

During the work, the two instruments have equal parts, unlike the early cello sonatas. 

 References 

 Further reading 
 Beethoven, Ludwig van / Violoncello Sonatas  Henle Verlag
 Peter Schleuning: "Cellosonate A-Dur op. 69". In: Albrecht Riethmüller, Carl Dahlhaus, Alexander L. Ringer (ed.): Beethoven: Interpretationen seiner Werke. vol 1. Laaber-Verlag, Laaber 1994, , pp. 515–522.

 Other websites 

  — Allegro, ma non tanto
  — Scherzo
  — Adagio cantabile — finale

Category:Cello sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven
Category:Compositions in A major
Category:Compositions with dedications
Category:1800s compositions