11th Sonata, Opus 22, in B Flat
Allegro con brio—Adagio con molta espressione—Minuetto—Rondo.
Dedicated to the Countess von Brovne.
This Sonata is the finest since the Opus 10, No. 3 in D. It is not so deep in feeling as some of the preceding pieces, and the composer’s preoccupation with development somewhat duly prolongs the first movement. It is full, however, of characteristic vigour for its own sake, and the Adagio, long-drawn as it is, possess a great charm.
This long-drawn meditative piece is the only case in the Sonatas of a slow movement having all the elements of the true Sonata forms—exposition and development, recapitulation, coda. If the Adagio breathes of the open country, the Minuet savours of the salon. In this rather old-fashioned Minuet, the Trio is styled “Minore.” The Rondo with four refrains, the last two varied.