Für Elise is one of the most widely recognized music compositions and is arguably the most popular piano piece of all time. Beethoven wrote Für Elise in 1810 as Bagatelle no. 25., but it was published only 40 years after his death, in 1867. This article will give you a comprehensive review of this remarkable piece.
What Für Elise means and to whom Beethoven wrote it?
The name Für Elise means For Elise in German (pronunciation [fyːɐ̯ ʔeˈliːzə). There is a debate concerning the real name of this composition. According to some, when the music was transcribed Beethoven’s handwriting might have been misread and the original name was Für Therese.
If so, this lady must be Therese Malfatti to whom Beethoven proposed in the same year the piece was composed. Therese Malfatti finally turned him down and married an Austrian nobleman and state official. Other possible candidates for the title naming are Elisabeth Röckel and Elise Barensfeld.
Form and tempo of Für Elise
Für Elise is in A minor, the musical structure is rondo form (AABACA) in 103 bars and the time signature is poco moto 3/8. Für Elise is not a sonata and it is not in sonata form, it is a bagatelle. Bagatelle literally means “a short unpretentious instrumental composition”.
What is the mood of Für Elise?
Music is not math, luckily! What feelings will arise during listening to this music depends on the listener, too. Maybe, most would agree that the general mood is not purely romantic, but rather agony, emotional disturbance that develops into happiness. Often used words to describe the piece is romantic, nostalgia and love.
Is Für Elise easy to play?
Probably it is the first serious piece a piano student will learn to master. It is not a beginner’s song, but not advanced either, rather early intermediate level. With a little experience you can learn it in a few weeks (the original version, not the simplified).
Was Für Elise written when Beethoven was deaf?
In 1810, when Beethoven composed this piece, he was halfway to being completely deaf. At this point most of his hearing was already gone.
How many piano keys you need to play Für Elise?
Most of the piece can be played on a 61 key keyboard, the coda (final part) needs a 76 key version or one must use octave shift function.
