Abstract

Ludwig van Beethoven wrote Piano Quartets WoO 36 at the age of fourteen in 1785 under the supervision of his teacher Christian Gottlob Neefe. There are three quartets in WoO 36, E-flat, C and D, which were greatly influenced by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Violin Sonatas KV 379, KV380, and KV296. The E-flat Quartet is modeled on KV 379; while those in C and D are more subtly based on Mozart's KV 296 and KV 380, respectively. Beethoven imitated large features of Mozart's Sonatas, in both their general plans and thematic features. All the works have the same layout in movements, comparable sequence of keys, same sequence of tempo and meter indications.

The Piano Sonatas Op.2 were completed in 1795 and dedicated to Joseph Haydn. By studying Beethoven's innovations on Op.2 and the materials Beethoven borrowed from WoO 36, we are able to obtain a picture of his compositional growth to maturity. There is a draft of Op.2, no.3, the first movement in the Fischhof Sketch 21r. From the sketch we find that Beethoven intended to borrow quite heavily from WoO 36. The Op.2, no.l slow movement was adapted from Piano Quartet WoO 36, no.3 second movement, and the Op.2, no.3 first movement directly borrowed three thematic ideas from WoO 36, no.3 first movement.

Through Mozart's three Violin Sonatas, Beethoven's WoO 36 and Op.2, and the draft of Op.2, no.3, a clearer picture of Beethoven's creative process during his youth is revealed.

Keywords: Beethoven Piano Quartets WoO 36, Beethoven Piano Sonatas Op.2, Mozart Violin Sonatas KV 379, KV 380, KV 296.