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Primary sourceDocument1801

Violin Sonata No. 5 (Spring Sonata)

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1801

A sunny four-movement violin sonata by Beethoven, composed in 1801 as his hearing was beginning to fail.

Composed by Beethoven in 1801, around the time he first became aware of his deafness.

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Handwritten manuscript page of music on aged paper, headed 'Allegro' and 'Sonata #5' with 'de L.v. Beethoven' written above. Several staves of notes, slurs and dynamic marks are visible, with handwritten notes in the margin on the right.
Ludwig van Beethoven, autograph manuscript of Violin Sonata No. 5, Op. 24, 1801. Austrian National Library.

About this source

What it is

The Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, known as the "Spring" Sonata, is a four-movement work for violin and piano, first published in 1801. The nickname was given after Beethoven's death. It was dedicated to Count Moritz von Fries, who also received dedications of several other Beethoven works from the same year. The autograph manuscript survives in the Austrian National Library.

Why it matters

Written as Beethoven was becoming aware of his growing deafness, the sonata's bright, lyrical character contrasts with the private struggles he was facing. It shows his skill in chamber music and his relationships with wealthy patrons like Count von Fries who supported his career.

Look closer

  • What might the handwriting and corrections on the manuscript page tell us about how Beethoven composed?
  • Why might a nickname given after a composer's death shape how we hear a piece today?
  • How does knowing about Beethoven's hearing loss change how we might listen to this music?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Ludwig van Beethoven on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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