? Anhang 5 – Two Sonatinas in G major and F major for Piano

The two sonatinas Anhang 5 appeared in print around 1807, during Beethoven’s lifetime, in Altona, published by Rudolphus. The original manuscripts are unknown. Beethoven never mentioned the sonatinas during his life.

Alexander W. Thayer listed the two sonatinas as number 24 in his chronological catalog and noted:

“Der Bonner Zeit (?)” (“From the Bonn period (?)”). According to his hypothesis, the two pieces might possibly correspond to lot number 157 of the auction of Beethovens Nachlass (Beethoven’s estate, where most of his legacy was sold at auction), and which in the Graeffer auction catalog (D-BNba, NE 103, III, 11) is described as: “2 kleine compl. Stüke f. Clav: aus früher Zeit” (“2 small complete pieces for piano: from an early period”), purchased by Artaria.

Thayer continues: “Wenn nicht, könnte ihre Echtheit bezweifelt werden” (“If not, their authenticity could be doubted”) (Thayer / 1865, page 11). If instead — something that can no longer be verified today — the two sonatinas were indeed auctioned as lot 157, the buyer Artaria would undoubtedly have published them through his publishing house.

The fact that the two sonatas were published by Rudolphus in Altona, in northern Germany — a place where Beethoven had no contact until 1807 — and that the autographs and other documents to establish their authenticity are currently unavailable, supports the doubts already expressed by Gustav Nottebohm regarding the authenticity of the two pieces (Nottebohm / 1868, page 148).

Contrary to Nottebohm, Hugo Riemann saw no valid reason to doubt the authenticity of the two sonatinas (Riemann / Piano Sonatas, Part I, page 1).

The first sonatina, titled “No. 9. Moderato. Beethoven,” is found in manuscript form in a music collection notebook preserved in Berlin with catalog number Mus. Ms. 1027 in D-KA(DO), of which images are provided. (In the same manuscript appear the Nine Dances for Piano Four Hands, Anhang 9, discussed on their dedicated page.)

The addition of the term “arr.” (Arrangement) in advertisements of the first editions (Wh2 1818/19 and Wh II 1828) usually indicated an arrangement from other works rather than original compositions. However, in this case, it should be understood as “faciles arr.” — that is, easy arrangements.

? First Editions under Beethoven’s Name

• Circa 1807. Altona, Rudolphus, without VN / PN. Title: “II SONATINES / pour le Piano-Forte / Composées par / L. van Beethoven. / Altona chez Louis Rudolphus. “
• Before 1818/19? Hamburg, Cranz (Wh2 1818/19?). Title: “SONATINES / pour le Pianoforte / Composees par / L. van Beethoven. / a Amburgo chez Cranz ”

• 1822/23 circa not around 1828 Deux / SONATINES / pour le Pianoforte / composees par / L. VAN BEETHOVEN. / Pr. 6 gr. / Hambourg chez Jean Aug. Böhme. “