Sonate no 29 op. 106 « Hammerklavier » : IV. Largo — Allegro risoluto (Fugue)
Romantic Sonata Piano solo 17 min
In brief

This final movement shifts from a nearly meditative slow introduction to a tense Allegro fugue, creating an atmosphere that is both monumental and nervy, with crisp attacks and internal breaths shaping the contrapuntal flow. Skills to focus on: Connaissance des formes (3.6/5) — you will need to identify and articulate subject and countersubject entries so the contrapuntal structure is audible through contrasts of weight and breath; Analyse harmonique (3.6/5) — the movement requires tracking distant modulations and bringing out voice-leading with precise fingering and pedal control to clarify harmonic progressions. The fugue stands among the high points of Beethoven's late sonatas and occupies a central place in his late piano output, illustrating a move toward a more expansive and dramatic solo piano language.

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MusicCoach difficulty
93/100
Master repertoire
Likely range : 86–100/100
Confidence : 45% · to confirm
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedVirtuoso
Exam grade
Beyond grade 8

The grade scale stops at 8; this work belongs to concert or diploma repertoire.

Difficulty estimate by MusicCoach on a scale of 1 to 100.

Where this work sits
050100

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Relative difficulty
100%
Among Ludwig van Beethoven
100%
Era Romantic
99%
Genre
Estimated skills
Theory
Knowledge of forms
1
Pedaling
Sustain pedal
1
Rhythm
Tempo rubato
1
Theory
Harmonic analysis
2
Style
Romantic style
2
Tone
Touch control
1
Technique
Hand independence
2
Technique
Fast passages
2
Technique
Three-or-more-voice polyphony
1
Rhythm
General rhythm
1
Rhythm
Syncopation
1
Technique
General technique
1
What to play next?

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