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Here are five of Beethoven's lesser known sonatas that I think are worth a second (or first!) look, regardless of their popularity: 5: Sonata no. 9 in E Major (op. 14 no. 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU1xVvgdfg0
I recently got MIDIs of all Beethoven's sonatas, save for the 32nd piano sonata , and I started wondering, which is the most underappreciated? I personally found the second sonata rather underappreciated.
- Piano Sonata Number 27, Op 90
- The Hunt, Piano Sonata Number 18, Op 31
- A Therese, Piano Sonata Number 24, Op 78
- Tempest, Piano Sonata Number 17, Op 31
- Pathetique, Piano Sonata Number 8, Op 13
- Moonlight Sonata, Piano Sonata Number 14, Op 27
- Les Adieux, Piano Sonata Number 26, Op 81A
- Waldstein, Piano Sonata Number 21, Op 53
- Appassionata, Piano Sonata Number 23, Op 57
- Hammerklavier, Piano Sonata Number 29, Op 106
At number 10, we have Piano Sonata Number 27, Op 90, which is one of Beethoven’s most popular sonatas. It was written in 1814, toward the end of the middle period, and was written for Prince Moritz von Lichnowsky. This is one of the few Beethoven sonatas that does not have at least three movements, but this one only has two. The first movement is a...
Next, we have Beethoven’sPiano Sonata Number 18, Op 31, usually called The Hunt,due to its themes that resemble a horn being played during a hunt. This is one of Beethoven’s most playful works, a nice departure from the dramatic, tragic, and dark themes that permeate many of his other sonatas. Happier themes are commonly found in Beethoven’s earlie...
Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Number 24, Op 78, is frequently overlooked, but it remains one of his greatest. Compared to his other piano sonatas, this one is relatively short, containing only two movements; however, it is still a powerful work in Beethoven’s repertoire. It was composed for Countess Therese von Brunswick (which is where it gets its name...
The TempestSonata was composed in 1801 and 1802. It is one of Beethoven’s darkest sonatas, and it portends a significant amount of tragedy. It contains three separate movements, with the first movement starting slow before picking up, resembling a storm. The second movement is slowed, wandering, and dramatic. Finally, the third movement picks up th...
Even though it is one of his earliest works, it remains one of his most famous sonatas even to this day. It’s dedicated to one of Beethoven’s closest friends, Prince Karl von Lichnowsky. The PathetiqueSonata contains a lot of earlier classical elements, particularly from the days of Mozart. It is broken up into three distinct movements, with the se...
Piano Sonata Number 14, Op 27 or more commonly known as the Moonlight Sonata,is perhaps Beethoven’s most well-known. It contains three distinct movements, all with a different feel. Intermediate pianists commonly learn the first movement, as it has slowed, repetitive triplet groups; however, the other two movements are far more difficult, with the ...
Beethoven composed Les Adieux, which translates into The Farewell, between 1809 and 1810. The sonata was composed as Napoleon attacked Vienna, forcing Archduke Rudolph to leave the city. The Sonata is one of the major three of the middle period and tells the story of people fleeing the city as Napoleon advanced. The Sonata is one of his most diffic...
The WaldsteinSonata is one of the marquee compositions of Beethoven’s middle period. Composed in C Major, it is a luminous, happy, upbeat sonata with an average performance taking approximately 24 minutes. It is divided into three movements, with the first and third movements being significantly longer than the shorter second movement, which is muc...
The AppassionataSonata is widely regarded as one of Beethoven’s signature works. Unlike the other major middle-period sonatas, this one is one of the darkest compositions he ever performed. The first movement contains cascading runs and lightning arpeggios, while the third movement is commonly described as being in perpetual motion. It serves as a ...
And finally, even though there might be some debate regarding the other sonatas, there is no debate about which one is the greatest and the most challenging. The HammerklavierSonata, Beethoven Opus 106, Piano Sonata Number 29 in B-flat Major, is widely regarded as one of the most challenging piano pieces of all time. One of the biggest reasons why ...
- Pathétique. To single out just a few. The most important of the early Sonatas is the Pathétique. For the first time Beethoven uses a slow introduction, and an introduction of such weight you know something truly significant is going on.
- The Moonlight. The most famous movement of any of the 32 Piano Sonatas is the opening movement of The Moonlight – the Sonata he composed for the woman he wanted to marry, Giulietta Guicciardi [see Chapter 6, Beethoven’s Women].
- Waldstein. We already know the origin of the Waldstein from Chapter 3, The Spaniard. The gloriously spacious theme of the final movement is prefaced by a mysterious, fragmented middle movement, which presages it perfectly.
- Appassionata. Wagner’s favourite was the Appassionata. He loved playing it, and marvelled at the theme of the first movement rising from the depths. Once again, as with the Pathétique, the middle movement is simplicity itself, almost a theme on a single note.
Save for brittleness in loud passages, Brendel fares marvelously in Op. 78’s finale, pointing up the relentless syncopations and quirky major/minor key alternations. What’s more, Brendel’s underrated ability to project soft playing with body and definition in large venues comes across in the sonata’s opening movement.
Experience the magic of all 32 Ludwig van Beethoven piano sonatas in this captivating 10 hours collection. The timeless brilliance of Beethoven's music is ta...
- 626 min
- 35K
- Best of Beethoven
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Mar 22, 2024 · In this article, we’ll explore some of Beethoven’s most well-known sonatas: “Pathétique,” “Moonlight,” “Waldstein,” “Appassionata,” and “Hammerklavier.”. The Nature of Genius: Beethoven and the Sonata Form. A lecture that traces Beethoven’s evolution in style using his first. and last sonatas as examples.
