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Fur Elise (Part A) | Piano Play-Along
Ludwig van Beethoven
“Für Elise” (Bagatelle in A minor, WoO 59) is one of Ludwig van Beethoven’s most famous and frequently performed piano pieces. Although it was composed in 1810, it remained unpublished during Beethoven’s lifetime and was only discovered and published posthumously in 1867—40 years after his death. The piece is written in rondo form (ABACA), with the well-known main theme in A minor recurring between contrasting sections.
Despite its popularity among beginners, the piece requires interpretive sensitivity to fully convey its charm and subtle emotional undercurrents. “Für Elise” exemplifies Beethoven’s gift for turning a simple melodic idea into something deeply expressive and memorable.
The exact date of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth in not known for certain, however, surviving documents indicate that his baptism occurred on December 17th, 1770 in Bonn, Germany. During this time, baptism followed very shortly after birth which may put the composer’s actual day of birth on either the 16th or the 17th. Argued by many to be one of, if not the greatest composer who has ever lived, the affects of Beethoven’s genius can still be felt to this day.
“Für Elise” (Bagatelle in A minor, WoO 59) is one of Ludwig van Beethoven’s most famous and frequently performed piano pieces. Although it was composed in 1810, it remained unpublished during Beethoven’s lifetime and was only discovered and published posthumously in 1867—40 years after his death. The piece is written in rondo form (ABACA), with the well-known main theme in A minor recurring between contrasting sections.
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