Hermann Berens (1826-1880)

Nationality: German | Swedish

Born: April 7, 1826, Hamburg Died: May 9, 1880, Stockholm (age 54)

wikipedia | imslp

Violin Sonata in G major, Op. 5

(for violin and piano)

		I.	Maestoso. Allegro
		II.	Andante sostenuto
		III.	Scherzo. Allegro
		IV.	Finale. Allegro non troppo

Published: 1848 (age 21-22)

Related Composers

Carl Gottlieb Reissiger (1798-1859)

Teacher

Nationality: German

Born: January 31, 1798, Belzig Died: November 7, 1859, Dresden (age 61)

Laura Valborg Aulin (1860-1928)

Student

Nationality: Swedish

Born: January 9, 1860, Gävle Died: January 11, 1928, Örebro (age 68)

glossary

allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
duo, duet, dueto [S], duetto [I], duett [G]—a work for two instruments; the ensemble itself
finale [I], final [F]—The final movement, sometimes explicitly titled thus
maestoso—With dignity and nobility; majestic
opus [L], opera[pl], Op., Opp, WoO, Op. posth—work, as in a work of art. For unique identification, publishers/composers often assign an "opus number", abbreviated as "Op." (e.g. Op. 1). A range of works by opus number, uses the plural "opp." (e.g. "Opp. 1-3"). A single opus number may refer to a collection of works (e.g. a set of quartets) giving rise to designations like "Op. 1, No. 4". For misc. works without opus numbers, "WoO" is often used (e.g."Without Opus"). Posthumously assigned numbers may use "Op. posth". Opus numbers may not precisely reflect chronology (publication vs. composition), can be erroneous, sparse or duplicative. Thus, the works of some historically important composers may use separate catalog numbers (e.g. Bach, Haydn, Schubert). See wiki
scherzo—lively, brisk, typically in a triple meter; usually a three-part form with central, contrasting trio
sonata, sonate, suonato—a complicated term. Originally, "sounded" rather than "sung" (sonar vs. cantar), e.g. instrumental music. According to historical period, sonata began to imply a formal plan of movements as well as the structure within a single movement, e.g. sonata form. In general usage as a work title, it designates a multi-movement piece for solo or duo instruments with one of the instruments enjoying a feature role.
sostenuto [I], soutenu [F]—sustained, perhaps a bit slow
troppo [I], non troppo, trop [F]—too, too much. non troppo means "not too much". e.g. "Allegro ma non troppo" means fast, but not too much
violin sonata—a multi-movement work for violin and keyboard (or continuo) though there are sonatas for solo violin as well as sonatas in a single movement. While the violin would seem to be the featured instrument, many sonatas starting with the classical period find the piano to be an equal partner in the sense of a chamber work for two players.