Hi! Just to let you all know that I know I want to tackle a new "difficult" Beethoven Sonata. The ones I have played alreay are No.5 1st Movement, No.8 ALL Movements, No.14 1st and 2nd Movements, No.17 3rd Movement, No.19 1st Mov. , No.20 1st Mov.
The sonata that I want to play is Sonata No.4 Op.7 in E falt Major "Grande Sonata" 1st Movement. I have loved it from the first moment I heard it and now I want to tackle it. I have played the first three pages slowly and all is going well. I am on Grade 7 so I am sure it won't be a problem I know that it will take some time to practice as I have other pieces and scales, arpeggios and stuff like that to do as well. So any advice or performance tips to help me with this sonata would be great and maybe if you can play it please show me a video.
Thanks do much and I look forward from hearing from you!
P.S. I have just uploaded Haydn Sonata No.42 in G Major on to my YouTube channel (ClassicalMusicPiano), I wanted to see and hear what it would be like to play it with only two days of practicing! Here is the link to view it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbBzGi1-Gc8...nel_video_title
Full Version: Beethoven Sonata Difficulty?
It might be worth getting the moderators to transfer this to Viva Piano, where far more pianists hang out, who may be able to help you. 
Of the earlier Sonatas say counting the Op2 ones, Op7, Op10, Op13, Op14 (ten in all) to me Op7 is the trickiest, and I do play them all. Yes the first movement must be played slowly to start. Practice those bits with the left hand in quavers, its particularly awkward at bar 49-59 (and much is staccato! And you have that huge leap in the right hand against it). Theres a similar bit at bar 141, and bar 201, and bar 229. Then practise the consecutive octaves slowly at bar 84 (and similar later) and the chromatic scales at bar 104.
I dont find the passage work at bar 111-126 (and at 291) too difficult as I have large hands, but would be difficult for a smaller handed player.
The slow second movement is not so taxing from the point of view of playing the notes, but the expression needs a lot of thinking about , and can be quite beautiful. Nor is the third movement too difficult, practice the central minor bit first (E flat minor - 6 flats).
The last movement is not too easy though I find much of the passagework falls quite well under the hands.
Its a fine Sonata, and in many ways more mature than say , the Op10 and Op14 ones.
Taking the Sonatas as a whole , clearly the Op 49 ones are the easiest. Then probably Op79, Op10 No1, Op14 No2, Op10 no2, Op14 No 1.
I dont find the passage work at bar 111-126 (and at 291) too difficult as I have large hands, but would be difficult for a smaller handed player.
The slow second movement is not so taxing from the point of view of playing the notes, but the expression needs a lot of thinking about , and can be quite beautiful. Nor is the third movement too difficult, practice the central minor bit first (E flat minor - 6 flats).
The last movement is not too easy though I find much of the passagework falls quite well under the hands.
Its a fine Sonata, and in many ways more mature than say , the Op10 and Op14 ones.
Taking the Sonatas as a whole , clearly the Op 49 ones are the easiest. Then probably Op79, Op10 No1, Op14 No2, Op10 no2, Op14 No 1.
Ahh! What a brilliant Sonata to choose and it's going along just fine, with no hard part "yet".
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