Sonatina in G major (attributed to Beethoven)

The Sonatina in G major (attributed to Beethoven) is a short, light piano sonatina of uncertain authorship. While often attributed to Ludwig van Beethoven, its provenance is disputed among musicologists. The work is considered to be of a significantly lesser technical and artistic caliber than Beethoven's authentic compositions, leading to widespread skepticism regarding its attribution.

The piece typically consists of two or three movements, often in a simplified sonata form. The first movement is usually an Allegro, characterized by its bright and accessible melodies. The second movement, if present, may be a Romanze or similar slow, lyrical movement. A brief Rondo or other lighthearted movement sometimes serves as the finale.

Because of its relative simplicity, the Sonatina in G major is often used as a teaching piece for intermediate piano students. It allows them to explore sonata form and develop their technique without the overwhelming challenges presented by Beethoven's more mature and demanding works.

The uncertain authorship means definitive information regarding the date of composition and original publication is scarce. While published under Beethoven's name, scholarly consensus leans towards the sonatina being either an early, uncharacteristic work of his, or more likely, composed by one of his contemporaries or students and falsely attributed to him for marketing purposes. The exact composer remains unidentified.