Piano Sonata No.59 Hob.XVI:49, E-flat major

Sonata · in E♭ major · Hob. XVI:49

Joseph Haydn 1732–1809
E♭ major
Key
Sonata
Form
Hob. XVI:49
Catalogue
Score
First page of Piano Sonata No.59 Hob.XVI:49, E-flat major

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Themes & character
Written for Marianne von Genzinger·Late and expansive·Personal significance·Composed 1790

At a glance

Catalogue
Hob. XVI:49
Key
E♭ major
Form
Sonata

About the piece

Composed in 1790 for Marianne von Genzinger, a gifted amateur pianist and the wife of Prince Esterhazy's physician, who was among Haydn's closest friends and confidantes. Their surviving correspondence is unusually warm, and Haydn wrote to her specifically about this sonata's Adagio, telling her it held a deep significance he would explain when they met. He also urged her to acquire a Schanz fortepiano, since the writing depends on a sensitivity of touch her older instrument could not deliver.

The composer

Joseph Haydn
Joseph Haydn
1732–1809

Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer of the Classical period. He was pivotal in the evolution of chamber music forms like the string quartet and piano trio. His contributions to musical form have led him to be called "Father of the Symphony", "Father of the String quartet" and "Father of Sonata form".

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