Le Beau - Sonata in D major, Op. 17 (Urtext Edition)

Luise Adolpha Le Beau (1850–1927) was a German composer, pianist, teacher, critic, and performer. She studied with several noted musicians, including Clara Schumann and Franz Lachner, though her primary composition teacher was Josef Gabriel Rheinberger. Like many women composers of the nineteenth century, Le Beau first built her musical career as a pianist before earning her living through teaching, performing, and writing about music.

Le Beau completed her Cello Sonata on October 12, 1878, with the first two movements completed on September 17 and September 23, respectively. The sonata was published in Hamburg by August Cranz in March 1883. The first movement is reminiscent of early Brahms, while the finale recalls the energy and character of Mendelssohn’s Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 58. The slow movement is deeply melancholy, with a reflective middle section that brings to mind Chopin’s Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 58.

This edition is based exclusively on the autograph manuscript, which is more detailed than the published edition and avoids the pitch, rhythm, slurring, and articulation errors that entered the first publication. The original Barcarole is included in the appendix. We are grateful to the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin for providing the sources for this edition.

The cello and piano parts are equal partners in Le Beau’s sonata. The piano part is not as difficult as those in the Brahms or Mendelssohn sonatas, making the work approachable for an intermediate pianist. The cello part stays within the first six positions in the first two movements, uses thumb position on the middle harmonic in the finale, and includes an F-sharp5 near the end of the finale, approached by step. This sonata is suitable for intermediate cellists and works well for lessons, recitals, and programs featuring Romantic works by women composers.

ASTA level: 3