Andante favori in F major

The Andante favori is almost as interesting for what it tells us about another, greater works as for itself. Written in 1803, it was originally intended as the slow movmnt of the Piano Sonata in C, Op.53 (“Waldstein”) but was eventually withdrawn from that position to make way for the comparatively short Introduzione which precedes the present Allegretto moderato finale. Since it is not lacking in inspiration in any way, in withdrawing it - an easy-going Andante based on a leisurely theme in F major and anchored for much of its duration to the same key - Beethoven clearly defined his essentially dynamic concept of the “Waldstein” Sonata. The Andante favori titile, incidentally, though it seems as unlikely for Beethoven as, say, Für Elise, was apparently the composer’s own invention.