I'd really like to play a Beethoven piano sonata for my LRSM. I just don't know which one to pick because frankly, some of the more 'known' ones scare me. I have terribly small hands.
I wonder which one you guys would think is the most approachable?
Sonata in C, Op.2 no.3: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in Eb, Op.7: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in D, Op.10 no.3: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in G, Op.31 no.1: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in D minor (‘Tempest’), Op.31 no.2: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in Eb, Op.31 no.3: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in Eb (‘Les Adieux’), Op.81a: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Full Version: Beethoven Piano Sonata For Lrsm
QUOTE(nmlj @ Jul 8 2009, 08:49 PM) 
I'd really like to play a Beethoven piano sonata for my LRSM. I just don't know which one to pick because frankly, some of the more 'known' ones scare me. I have terribly small hands.
I wonder which one you guys would think is the most approachable?
Sonata in C, Op.2 no.3: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in Eb, Op.7: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in D, Op.10 no.3: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in G, Op.31 no.1: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in D minor (‘Tempest’), Op.31 no.2: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in Eb, Op.31 no.3: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in Eb (‘Les Adieux’), Op.81a: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Well Ive tried all of them at some stage or another. I love the Tempest but I think yor short list should be the other two Op 31 ones ( 1 & 3 ) or Op 2 no 3. Probably I would go for the Op2/3. Having said that the Tempests most awkward bit is actually in the slow movement. With small hands I would avoid Op 7.
QUOTE(nmlj @ Jul 8 2009, 09:49 PM)
I'd really like to play a Beethoven piano sonata for my LRSM. I just don't know which one to pick because frankly, some of the more 'known' ones scare me. I have terribly small hands.
I wonder which one you guys would think is the most approachable?
Sonata in C, Op.2 no.3: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in Eb, Op.7: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in D, Op.10 no.3: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in G, Op.31 no.1: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in D minor (?€˜Tempest?€™), Op.31 no.2: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in Eb, Op.31 no.3: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
Sonata in Eb (?€˜Les Adieux?€™), Op.81a: complete (ABRSM Publishing)
They are all fantastic. I have found Op 81a the most difficult to turn from a collection of notes into something resembling music - and Op 2 No 3 to have the clearest and boldest lines ... not that I play any of them particularly well. But I have decided to play Mozart rather than Beethoven for the LRSM.
I'm working on Op2/3 for LTCL and also have small hands.
There is a stinky bit in the Allegro assai (2nd subject b 28 with some semiquaver movement) that I'm having terrible trouble managing without a sort of glottal stop.
FWIW, if it helps weed another one out.
I don't think Beethoven had much time for those with lady-mitts.
There is a stinky bit in the Allegro assai (2nd subject b 28 with some semiquaver movement) that I'm having terrible trouble managing without a sort of glottal stop.
FWIW, if it helps weed another one out.
I don't think Beethoven had much time for those with lady-mitts.
QUOTE(mel2 @ Jul 9 2009, 12:10 AM)
I'm working on Op2/3 for LTCL and also have small hands.
There is a stinky bit in the Allegro assai (2nd subject b 28 with some semiquaver movement) that I'm having terrible trouble managing without a sort of glottal stop.
FWIW, if it helps weed another one out.
I don't think Beethoven had much time for those with lady-mitts.
That section doesn't need big hands - just lots of practice
The really smelly part is bars 289-295
QUOTE(Mad Tom @ Jul 8 2009, 11:21 PM)
QUOTE(mel2 @ Jul 9 2009, 12:10 AM)
I'm working on Op2/3 for LTCL and also have small hands.
There is a stinky bit in the Allegro assai (2nd subject b 28 with some semiquaver movement) that I'm having terrible trouble managing without a sort of glottal stop.
FWIW, if it helps weed another one out.
I don't think Beethoven had much time for those with lady-mitts.
That section doesn't need big hands - just lots of practice
The really smelly part is bars 289-295
Wot! not even for the leap in b31?
For the double trill in b291 I was advised to cultivate a sort of 'rattle' rather than worry too much about a classical oscillation. (Sorry about the terminology - it's a bit late.)
I have very small hands as well.
I feel comfortable with all three sonatas of Op. 31. Op. 10 no. 3 may be manageable with some practice. Op. 2 no. 3 and Op. 7 are awkward for small hands, especially Op. 7.
I feel comfortable with all three sonatas of Op. 31. Op. 10 no. 3 may be manageable with some practice. Op. 2 no. 3 and Op. 7 are awkward for small hands, especially Op. 7.
Is Op. 90 (E minor) not on the list? I have loved that since my 'O' level days...
If it was on the list those left hand tenths (Alberti style) in the first movement would be impossible with small hands.
QUOTE(fsharpminor @ Jul 9 2009, 05:37 PM)
If it was on the list those left hand tenths (Alberti style) in the first movement would be impossible with small hands.
Not impossible, but quite tiring for the hands. My hands could barely reach an octave, but I've performed this sonata. I had to rely on rotational motion for the large leaps.
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