Page 3 & 4 Analysis
With
Annabel ThwaiteAnnabel Thwaite works through the final two pages of Beethoven's "Für Elise", focusing on tension, the role of rests, and shaping the return of the main theme.
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21 lessons (1h 0m) · 1 free
Lesson transcript
Music Lesson: Exploring Tension and Emotion in Composition
Bar 61: Establishing Repetition and Tension
Here at Bar 61, we have this repeated A,
- It's colored with a fifth in Bar 66.
- Followed by a descending chromatic scale briefly.
This creates a sense of tension or a pulsating heartbeat.
It certainly isn't heavy but maintains a hushed underlying tone.
Thus, everything stays within the key.
Bar 79: The Importance of Rests
Now, let's look at Bar 79.
We encounter these lovely triplets.
- My biggest tip here is to notice the rests.
- Pay close attention to the rests in Bars 77, 78, and then 79.
This is the first time the music stops.
Rests are incredibly important in all musical styles, particularly classical.
Imagine making a public speech: when you hold your audience's attention, it's those pauses, the rests, the silence, that truly draw them in.
In Bar 77:
"One, two, three."
You can really create magic there.
Final Thoughts: Reflecting on the Theme
Finally, we arrive at the fourth page.
This is the last time we hear this beautiful theme.
- Think about the love towards Elise, or perhaps it's Therese, reflecting on the melancholic poignancy behind it.
After all the drama in the middle, consider toning it down for a moment of reflection.
- Perhaps the dynamics could be a bit softer.
- They could carry a more mournful tone in A minor.
This approach allows you to end the piece in a very poignant and poised way.
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
Recognised as one of Britain's most versatile and charismatic pianists, Annabel Thwaite enjoys a diverse career as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, educator and examiner, and has won all the major accompanying prizes, including the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier, Gold Medal, and Richard Tauber Piano Prizes. She has collaborated with renowned artists such as Roberto Alagna, Bryn Terfel, David Kempster and "Only Men Aloud!"
Annabel has recorded for Universal records with the "Scottish Tenor", whose album was nominated for a Classical Brit Award and is regularly played on Classic FM. Twice the accompanist for the Festival of Welsh Male choirs, her performances at the Royal Albert Hall were recorded by Sain and have been aired on S4C. She is also a film session pianist, having recorded at Abbey Road the music for the film "Awake", the BBC Jane Austen series "Emma", "The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister" and, most recently, she has appeared on both Blue Peter and "The Rob Brydon Show".
"...no doubt helped by the obviously brilliant piano accompaniments from Annabel Thwaite...highly enjoyable."
In her MusicGurus courses - Learn Christmas Classics on Piano, Learn Classical Favourites on Piano, and Growing Chamber Groups and Small Ensembles - Annabel shares the musicianship behind that versatile career. You will learn how to bring well-loved Christmas and classical pieces to life at the piano, develop your touch and phrasing, and, drawing on her award-winning experience as an accompanist, discover how to listen, lead and play together when making music with other musicians in chamber groups and small ensembles.
