# Identify this classical song (mp3 snippet inside)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-classical-song-mp3-snippet-inside/364266>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [July 13, 2006, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-classical-song-mp3-snippet-inside/364266 "2006-07-13T00:47:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-classical-song-mp3-snippet-inside/364266/1 "2006-07-13T00:47:17Z")

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This is a little snippet that was played in an episode of the 4400, it sounded so familiar but I can’t place the piece, can anyone help me out?

[http://www.arma-nj.org/4400](http://www.arma-nj.org/4400) snippet.mp3

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**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-classical-song-mp3-snippet-inside/364266/2 "2006-07-13T01:42:15Z")

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That’s Beethoven’s _Piano Sonata No.17 - 3rd Mvt - II Allegretto_. The heavy percussive style makes me think that’s Glenn Gould playing but I don’t actually have that CD so I can’t confirm.

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**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-classical-song-mp3-snippet-inside/364266/3 "2006-07-13T04:05:10Z")

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> [@Hodge](#):
>
> That’s Beethoven’s _Piano Sonata No.17 - 3rd Mvt - II Allegretto_. The heavy percussive style makes me think that’s Glenn Gould playing but I don’t actually have that CD so I can’t confirm.

Nope, that’s not Beethoven’s 17

Schumann or Brahms maybe?

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**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-classical-song-mp3-snippet-inside/364266/4 "2006-07-13T04:39:47Z")

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Dang! I shouldn’t have come back to this post just before going to bed! I was certain it was a Beethoven sonata but you’re right it’s not the 17th.

After spending the last 45 minutes digging through my CDs (I’m behind on my ripping) I found the right one: Beethoven’s _Sonata No 13. in E-flat Major Op. 27, No. 1: Allegro Molto_. This time, I do have Gould’s recording of this piece and can confirm that it’s not him in the snippet.

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**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-classical-song-mp3-snippet-inside/364266/5 "2006-07-13T13:55:34Z")

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> [@Hodge](#):
>
> Dang! I shouldn’t have come back to this post just before going to bed! I was certain it was a Beethoven sonata but you’re right it’s not the 17th.

I don’t blame you. I listened to the clip and thought, “Well, it sure sounds like a Beethoven sonata… I hope somebody comes along who can tell if that’s right.”