Early-Romantic · 1810
Bagatelle in A minor ("Für Elise")
L. v. BeethovenWoO 59
- Key
- Am
- Time
- 3/8
- Tempo
- ♩=76
- AO focus
- AO2
Incipit
Form
Rondo: A B A C A. The recognisable A theme uses the minor-mode E – D♯ – E semitone oscillation as its motivic kernel.
Teaching points
- RH motif spans only a perfect 5th (E to A) but the contour creates the entire identity of the piece
- LH arpeggios spell out i (Am), V7 (E7), and iv (Dm) — minimal harmonic palette
- Practical: balance — RH must be sung; LH must whisper. A common O-level performance choice.