Page 20


Ex. 19

As the exposition is brought to a close, the three hammer blows at bar 147 lead us to B for a waning statement of the heroic motive at 148.  The dominant key is resolved and the exposition repeated.



I have attempted to demonstrate that there is more unity in the exposition of this masterpiece than has been previously believed and that this phrase,
   
constitutes the second subject.  Economy and unity are fundamental to Beethoven's genius.  By tying together the previously disjointed assessment, the Eroica's architecture becomes more streamlined.  I believe early analysts were thrown off by their conviction that the second subject would follow a transition.  As I have attempted to demonstrate, the second subject arrives on the heels of the first, leading them to search for a suitable passage beyond that point.

       


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