Hi all,

I am hoping to expand my repertoire and was wondering what would be a good choice of haydn to learn. I have passed grade 8 and working on various Bach, Beethoven and Mozart, and other composers.

Thanks.

Why don't you try a sonata - the E Minor no 34 is nice, or you could have a go at the F minor variations, they just trickle under the fingers, great fun to play and a lovely one to learn.

Whatever you chose - have fun.
D x

Thanks, I was going to go along the sonata route, but there are so many.

I also endorse the Variations .Its a sort of double set in F minor and F Major, and I enjoy playing them more than any of the Sonatas. The best Sonata is the last one No 52, much more mature than the rest and almost Beethoven like. It's also difficult in places but manageable for a post Grade 8 or Dip A student

I'm not very familiar with a lot of the music by Haydn, but here is a list of Haydn sonatas set for the ATCL piano (some of these have already been mentioned here already):

Haydn Sonata in C minor, Hob. XVI/20
Haydn Sonata in F, Hob. XVI/23
Haydn Sonata in B minor, Hob. XVI/32
Haydn Sonata in Ab, Hob. XVI/46
Haydn Sonata in C, Hob. XVI/48
Haydn Sonata in Eb, Hob. XVI/49
Haydn Sonata in D, Hob. XVI/51

Sorry, that's not much help. I'm sure lots of other people can go into detail about each of these sonatas.

No 52 is lovely, but the maturity mentioned does put it on the LTCL syllabus. Do you have easy access to some of them mentioned, try sight reading through a few to see what takes your fancy. Don't dismiss the variations just as not a sonata though, they really are great - I heard Brendel play them earlier this year, my performance doesn't even come close but certainly something to aspire to.

Thanks for all the replies, unfortunately I don't own any of the Haydn Does anybody know what the Dover Publication of the Haydn Piano sonatas are like?

Yes I have the Dover and it's fine, but get book 2. All the best ones are in it. Many of the early ones are not so good and more or less intended for a harpsichord. If you do go the Sonata route rather than the variations and No 52 is a bit too difficult, then try Nos 49 and 50

Thanks, I was going to go for book 2, I have got the impression that the later ones are preferred and also more of the book 2 ones are on the ATCL list. Although I might get the variations aswell to have a look at.

Do you have a music library near by, I can assure you getting both the sonata's and the variations are definitely worth the initial financial outlay as you will dip in and out of them for many years to come but if things are a bit tight it's always good to have a means of try before you buy at your disposal

I have the Dover version, I'd rather have the Henle (possibly for snob factor but I usually find them slightly more reliable), but the Dover is just fine. I definitely agree with getting book 2, it also has my initial suggestion of no. 34 in it.

No, unfortunately there is no music library near me, and if their is, I don't know where it is, if I did, I wouldn't be home often

I'm going to order the sonatas for now, and see how I get on with them, if I like Haydn in general, i'll give the variations a go.

I have 3 sonatas to be getting with, should keep me busy.


Thanks all.

If you have three Haydn sonatas already, you have plenty to start you off.

I don't have Dover, but I do have the AB set (book IV) with the sky blue cover. Really helpful edition, with all sorts of hints and advice on performance and interpretation (ornaments, pedalling etc.)

But my favourite is, like f#minor says, the F Minor Variations (so close to f#minor in key, yet so far away too ... ).
They are delightful to play, and noticeably unlike most of Haydn's sonatas - somehow more virtuosic and yet more contemplative.

denmark

...and call me a snob if you like Digby, but I have two editions of the variations - the AB (vey old) ... and the Henle...

Wouldn't dream of it D, but which do you prefer?

Hi PCSB

Has your copy of the sonata's arrived yet - which have you chosen to try out first?

It has arrived and i am learnin the sonata in D major, i think its number 52, and have had a little look at most of the others suggested here to start on next as well as the ones on the DipAB and ATCL lists.

Cool hope you're enjoying it. I'm bringing back no 50 following your thread, haven't played it for ages.

DMajor is no51, and I think the penultimate one. 2 years ago some forumites may remember I played all the Haydn and Mozart Sonatas , 2 or 3 a day over a month. I think I will do it again during August

Oooh, so it is, my mistake. Well done on playing that, I don't think id manage to play them never mind all in one go like that. Good luck if you do it again.

Wow... the F minor variation is, in my opinion, very difficult to play well. Some of my classmates in the university learned it & was sturuggling with it.

A good piece would be the Sonata in D major, Hob 61. It is very pleasant & challenging but not up to the point that it will break a student's 'neck'

Yes I agree Meiangie, that the F Minor Variations are difficult to play well, that's why I think it is probably the most virtuosic piece Haydn wrote for piano - not only in terms of notes but expressive range as well.

But they are so worth the effort...

denmark