Adagio Cantabile (2nd Movement) from

Piano Sonata #8 (Pathetique) Op.13

by Ludwig van Beethoven


arranged for guitar by Fred Nachbaur, September 1998


This arrangement for solo guitar was developed over the course of
approximately one year. It is not particularly difficult, the hardest
part is getting smooth shifts in position without excessive fret noise. 

The original is in A-flat major, but the guitar adaptation was done in
the much easier key of A major. If you wish to adhere to the original
tonality, tune your guitar one semitone flat. This also gives a deep,
rich quality which is especially appropriate for this beautiful
composition. 

I have maintained the original tempo and time signature, even though all
those sixteenth notes make the piece look more formidable than it really
is. Suggested tempo is 30 beats per quarter note (or set your metronome
for 60 beats and count eighth notes). 

The midi demo can be used as a learning aid, or simply to evaluate the
arrangement before committing time to learning it. It will be virtually
impossible to derive a meaningful score from the midi file, since each
string of the guitar was assigned to its own track to make the midi
performance more realistic. 

Dynamics were intentionally left out of the score, to encourage the
performer to become involved in the process of arranging by working out
his/her own interpretation. Similarly, tempo variances were kept to a
bare minimum. The midi demo gives examples of both, for the player's
evaluation. 

Fingering is extensively marked in the first 2/3 of the piece. However,
if you find easier or better fingerings for your own playing style,
don't adhere to the ones provided just because they are written. The
last section is essentially the same fingering as the opening theme,
except with a different rhythm. For this reason the fingerings were not
provided here. 

Fred Nachbaur, Nelson BC Canada, September 1998

Update January 2002: The score has been extensively reworked, taking advantage 
of new functionalities in NoteWorthy Composer. Beaming on multiple voices are 
now as expected.