Structural Analysis

Beethoven uses a fairly simple ABACA1 Coda form during this piece. Beethoven begins with a introductory cadenza that leads into the theme. The A section can be broken up into abac, with the 'a' section introducing the main theme that is developed throughout the piece. The 'B' section is aba with the 'b' section moving to the key of E Major. The 'C' section moves to the key of c minor for a brief period before moving to Ab Major and then back into the original key of C Major. The 'C' section can be broken up into ab. The final A starts out with the Theme, but in A major. It can be broken up into abac, but with rather different 'b' and 'c' sections than the first two 'A' sections. The Coda starts at measure 141 with the first theme from the 'C' section. The piece plays out from there, with a two bar tempo change at measure 166 and then a return back to the original tempo for the last 4 bars, which is actually the second theme from the 'A' Section.