L.V. Beethoven, Fur Elise, RCM 7

Everyone wants to play this Beethoven piece. There are simplified arrangements available. The main melody is plaintive and based on the A minor pentascale. The chord progressions are logical and repetitive.

It is in Rondo form. Section A has a main key of A minor with a diversion in C major. the main theme returns after the octave E preparation. The first cheerful episode passes through the keys of F, and C majors before settling in on the dominant preparation chord of E, or rather a melody swirling around the E. The second episode begins with a haunting diminished chord over a pedal point of A. Clearly in A minor there is a brief shift to Bb major before introducing an unusual preparation of a repeated tonic A minor chord. it makes sense though after so much focus on the tone E earlier in the piece. The right hand climbs on an A minor triad then descends on a most beautiful chromatic scale to return to the main theme.

What is so artfully done in this piece, is the measures leading us back to the main theme. It's easy to diverge from the melodies we have heard, but as a composer, the task of preparing a return to the main material in an exciting and logical fashion is often the biggest challenge.