This is a piece that Beethoven did not name himself. It was name by a close friend of Beethoven, German composer Johann Baptist Cramer. It was finished in 1809. This is one of his compositions he did while being deaf.
Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 5, also known as the
Emperor, has three movements:
- Allegro
- Adagio un poco mosso
- Rondo-Allegro
The Allegro introduces the main theme, or melody, only after the movement commences with a cadence and arpeggiation, trills and other embellishments. The theme is introduced by the whole orchestra, and later a second theme emerges as well.
The Adagio movement is a beautifully melodic composition,with stunning harmonies, reflecting the richness of Beethoven's expression of emotion.
The Rondo enters towards the end of the second movement.
Premiering in Leipzig in 1811, this concerto was unable to be performed by Beethoven himself as, by this time, his deafness prohibited him from doing it justice in public.