Beethoven and his patrons: "Pathétique" Sonata

In Vienna, and in the rest of the world, it was the year 1799 when Ludwig van Beethoven published the Sonata Op. 13, called Pathetique. In France, on the other hand, was the year VIII of the Republic. On the 18 Brumaire of that year, Napoleon Bonaparte staged a coup d'état that ended with the Directory and established the Consulate, with him at its head.
Five years later, in 1804, the former dark Corsican officer named himself emperor under the title of Napoleon I. This fact led Beethoven to erase the Éroica Symphony's dedication offered to Bonaparte. We assume that Napoleon did not know. Neither, for sure, his brother Jérôme, who will be named King of Westphalia in 1807.

The year before the appointment of Jérôme Bonaparte, in 1806, Ludwig had tried to resume a career as an operas composer and offered his services to the imperial authorities but his request was denied. Fortunately, the new monarch of Westphalia, who despite being young and licentious, did like art, sent a letter to Beethoven in early 1808 inviting him to perform as a chapel master in his simple parochial court. The salary was not negligible, and Ludwig was just about to take on the challenge when the rumor was known and his friends learned that the maestro intended to leave Vienna.

Prince Lobkowitz (1772 - 1816)

And they hit the roof. Beethoven was leaving only to secure a fixed income. A singular contract was then offered to him. A small group of his aristocratic friends committed themselves to pay him 4,000 florins per year if he stayed in Vienna, allowed to go on tour whenever he wanted and give a concert every year at the Theater an der Wien in his exclusive benefit. Ludwig signed the contract. And Jérôme was left holding the bag.

Unfortunately, due to a variety of reasons, his friends and patrons could not fully comply with the agreement. Prince Lobkowitz (committed with 700 florins) was ruined shortly afterwards. Prince Kinski (1,800 florins) fell off a horse in 1812 and was killed (his family dismissed the contract). Only Archduke Rudolph, committed to 1,500 florins, was faithful to the agreement, paying his portion meticulously to Beethoven year after year.

Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 - Sonata Pathétique
Some authors point out that the Sonata was so named by Beethoven himself and would respond to the psychic condition in which he was at the time of its publication when the first signs of his deafness begin to appear. Others postulate that it was the publisher's idea, which seems more likely.
It is dedicated to another friend and patron, Prince Lichnowsky.

Movements
Although it is structured in a classic manner: fast - slow - fast movements, the first one starts with a rather mournful introduction (a novelty for the times) that will connect soon with the Allegro.
00:00  Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio
09:33  Adagio cantabile
14:57  Rondo, allegro

Daniel Barenboim, the year 2006. The 32 sonatas cycle, StaatsOper Berlin.

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