Beethoven dedicated the Pathétique Sonata to Lichnowsky, who in return gave him a valuable quartet of Italian string instruments and shortly afterwards secured for him an annuity of 600 florins.

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.