Forums > My first Beethoven sonata

ChopinLover96

Feb 13 2012, 04:58 PM

My teacher has recommended that i learn a Beethoven sonata. I was think of the Op10/1 Op13 or the Op14/1. I am studying for my grade 8 and pieces that i am currently learning or have learnt are:
Field sonata No.1
Schubert Impromptu Op90 No4
Chopin Nocturne Op 32 No 1
Chopin Nocturne Op 37 No 2
Chopin Nocturne Op 9 No 2

So basically the Op13 is my favourite but probably the most difficult of the three. I was just wondering if you thought any of them were unreasonable at my current level or are bad choices for a first Beethoven sonata.

Thanks.

fsharpminor

Feb 13 2012, 07:43 PM

Yes the two easiest are the Op49's, but theyre Sonatinas really.

The first one I learned 'proper' was Op14 no 2, and then Op79.

I have a very old Bosworth edition of all the Sonatas in one book (its so battered I dont use it) , edited by Liszt in which they are supposed to be arranged in order of difficulty. (i dont entirly agrre with the exact order but its not so far out.

So we have Op 49 No 2, Op 49 No1, Op79, Op 14 no2, Op 10 No 1, Op 10 No2 and Op14 No 1, Op78, Op13 (Pathetique).......ending with the Hammerklavier Op106, a monster.

I have a close affinity with Op10 No 2 as I played it for ALCM in 1963, its the only one I can play from memory., and have done so for 47 years !

VH2

Feb 14 2012, 08:28 AM

QUOTE(ChopinLover96 @ Feb 13 2012, 05:58 PM)

My teacher has recommended that i learn a Beethoven sonata. I was think of the Op10/1 Op13 or the Op14/1. I am studying for my grade 8 and pieces that i am currently learning or have learnt are:
Field sonata No.1
Schubert Impromptu Op90 No4
Chopin Nocturne Op 32 No 1
Chopin Nocturne Op 37 No 2
Chopin Nocturne Op 9 No 2

So basically the Op13 is my favourite but probably the most difficult of the three. I was just wondering if you thought any of them were unreasonable at my current level or are bad choices for a first Beethoven sonata.

Thanks.

They are all great sonatas and if you can manage any one of them you can manage the others. Op. 14/1 may seem "easier" than Op. 13 at first, but it is no easier to make good music out of it. You should really go with the one that you like best, as that will give you the motivation to keep working at it, even when some difficulty is not yielding as easily as you'd have liked. I had always thought that Op. 13 is a bit "over the top", and in Op. 10 No. 1 the Prestissimo finale does nothing for me, so my choice would be Op. 14 No. 1, which is simply beautiful throughout.

fsharpminor

Feb 14 2012, 08:50 AM

QUOTE(VH2 @ Feb 14 2012, 08:28 AM)

QUOTE(ChopinLover96 @ Feb 13 2012, 05:58 PM)

My teacher has recommended that i learn a Beethoven sonata. I was think of the Op10/1 Op13 or the Op14/1. I am studying for my grade 8 and pieces that i am currently learning or have learnt are:
Field sonata No.1
Schubert Impromptu Op90 No4
Chopin Nocturne Op 32 No 1
Chopin Nocturne Op 37 No 2
Chopin Nocturne Op 9 No 2

So basically the Op13 is my favourite but probably the most difficult of the three. I was just wondering if you thought any of them were unreasonable at my current level or are bad choices for a first Beethoven sonata.

Thanks.

They are all great sonatas and if you can manage any one of them you can manage the others. Op. 14/1 may seem "easier" than Op. 13 at first, but it is no easier to make good music out of it. You should really go with the one that you like best, as that will give you the motivation to keep working at it, even when some difficulty is not yielding as easily as you'd have liked. I had always thought that Op. 13 is a bit "over the top", and in Op. 10 No. 1 the Prestissimo finale does nothing for me, so my choice would be Op. 14 No. 1, which is simply beautiful throughout.

Yes i agree with that, Im not fond of that Prestissimo, I prefer the Presto in Op10 No 2. But Op14 No1 is the nicest and easier to 'make music' of. Ive never been so fond of E Major though, though the E Minor middle movement is one of Beethovens easiest Sonata movements