Description
The inscription “The farewell / Vienna, May 4, 1809 / on the departure of his Imperial Highness the revered Archduke Rudolph” was added by Beethoven to the manuscript of this sonata. This work is now commonly referred to by its French title, “les Adieux,” and is regarded as one of the composer’s most cherished piano compositions. It is believed that the first movement of the sonata was composed just before the Archduke made a hasty departure from Vienna. Rudolph, along with other members of the imperial family, fled to Hungary to escape the siege and subsequent occupation by French forces. Upon his return in January 1810, Beethoven had the opportunity to present the complete sonata to him, which included not only the “farewell” but also the movements titled “absence” and “return.”
