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BEETHOVEN – Sonatina in D Minor (c.1795) – FOUR CELLOS

Other Identification:
This piece was originally composed by Beethoven for mandolin and cembalo in around 1795; that combination makes the work little known today. That is a shame because one can found Beethoven as a ‘melodist’ at his best! This version for four cellos/cello orchestra should highlight the lyricism present throughout.

In 1795 Ludwig van Beethoven was a young man in Vienna, and curiously the mandolin was enjoying a period of popularity among the cultured nobility as a delightful instrument both to play and listen to. Therefore Beethoven, as many young composers of his day, was looking to make a name for himself in the right circles, to gain patronage and a good reputation, and although the piano had already overtaken the harpsichord as the keyboard instrument of choice for formal concert music, the harpsichord was still found more frequently in the home, where its gentle plucked texture nicely accompanied an amateur singer or musician. It appears that Beethoven wrote at least six pieces for mandolin, and of these four have survived.

Movements or sections:
A one-movement work marked ‘Andante – Un poco animato – Andante’

Instrumentation:
QUARTET OF FOUR CELLOS
Also possible with a larger cello ensemble
Arranged by David Johnstone

2 PDFs:
1] – General Score
2] – All individual parts

Approximate difficulty:
MEDIUM
The presentation for cellists allows a deeper musical interpretation, closer to the Beethoven we know from the wonderful mature works. This is of medium level when played by 4 cello soloists – not for the playing register which only reaches 6th position in the first cello part – but for the quantity of double-stoppings in parts 2, 3 and 4, meaning that very young hands may stress and tense. However, by medium and advanced players this should not present a problem. When playing in cello orchestra – very recommendable – then ALL double-stoppings should be played ‘divisi’ on each stand.

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David Johnstone lives near Pamplona (Navarre, Spain) with his wife Rosa and their two “Spanglish” children, close to the Atlantic Pyrenees. The nearest international airport is Bilbao.

He is interested in world affairs, politics, animal rights, and most sports (including being a lifelong suffering Reading FC fan!). Also passionate about Celtic culture and genealogy, he has traced his ‘English’ family back to 1280, although Scotland and Ireland have also shaped his background. And yes — he is half-ashamed to admit it, he loves silly jokes!

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