This Sonata represents one of the few cases in which ... most powerful opening to any of his sonatas to this date and its music becomes an intrinsic part of the movement through its reappearances ...

Ludwig van Beethoven and the piano were two of the most exciting new qualities of music in the 18th century and both are showcased in his Sonata Op.13 No.8 in C minor, Pathétique, first movement.