Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 8 in G major, Op. 30 No. 3

Introduction

The Violin Sonata No. 8 in G major, Op. 30 No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven, the third of his Opus 30 set, was written between 1801 and 1802, published in May 1803, and dedicated to Tsar Alexander I of Russia.

Structure

It has three movements:

1. Allegro assai
2. Tempo di minuetto, ma molto moderato e grazioso - in E-flat major
3. Allegro vivace

This sonata is characteristic of early/middle Beethoven in its solid sonata structure, just beginning to get adventurous in syncopation, with some extraordinary off beat sforzandi.

The work takes approximately 18 minutes to perform.

Notable recordings

Famous recordings of the sonata include one by Fritz Kreisler with Sergei Rachmaninoff at the piano.