Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata

[rex]

I am a beginner, and suddenly I wanted to play Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata. Unfortunatelly there are some symbols I can not completely understand, like the weird w-like symbol on the third page of the Sonata. The first symbol of this kind appears on top of a G flat, on the first line, of the third page. I think this means that I am supposed to play A flat along with the G flat, but I am not really sure. Could somebody, please, help me deducing what this symbol means? I will be very grateful for someone to help me.

[ramseytheii]

Thank you for faithfully applying the accent egu!

Walter Ramsey

[pianistimo]

accent egu= trill

yes. Ab seems the likely choice.  measure 57 would be Gb - Ab - Gb (simple three note trill if you want) to F then F - Gb - F  to Eb.  as i understand it - whatever is in the key signature is what is played in a trill.  you will see at measure 65 a flat sign over the trill marking.  this means that you are to flat the upper auxillary note (Gb) to F (playing F Gb F).  unless a flat sign is written in - you simply play what the notes are in the key signature.

there are some timing difficulties to this sonata.  i would not pick it as my first sonata to learn. perhaps the ones dedicated to haydn (the opus 2's) although opus 28 is very beautiful and fairly simple, too.

[phil13]

there are some timing difficulties to this sonata.  i would not pick it as my first sonata to learn. perhaps the ones dedicated to haydn (the opus 2's) although opus 28 is very beautiful and fairly simple, too.

Op.2 No.1 is the only 'easy' one of the first 3 sonatas- Op.2 No.3 has a reputation as a virtuoso vehicle, in fact. Op.28 was my first Beethoven sonata, and it's very interpretively difficult- I would certainly not recommend it to a beginner.

Try Op.2 No.1, or Op.79, or, if those are too hard, the two Op.49 sonatas. Though, I am finding that Haydn offers more variety on this matter in his set of sonatas.

Phil

[shortyshort]

I am a beginner, and suddenly I wanted to play Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata.

Hello,

I decided to start teaching myself this sonata about 6 months ago. I started with Mvt III, as I like it the most. Still only about half way through.

I would suggest that if you are determined, try Mvt II first. I wish I had.

I did vote for, "you'll never finish this sonata", as I'm sure I never will.

Keep trying though. I think this sonata is Beethovens' best, as all 3 Movements are great.

[usahockey]

I am a beginner as well, and I am learning the 2nd movement...I wouldn't attempt the 1st or 3rd, at least not for a while.  The 2nd is pretty easy from a technical standpoint, though I'm sure it will take me a while to get to where I can really make it sound nice.  Good luck!

[kd]

Op.2 No.1 is the only 'easy' one of the first 3 sonatas- Op.2 No.3 has a reputation as a virtuoso vehicle, in fact.

I disagree. I had much more problems with Op. 2 No. 1 movement IV than with Op. 2 No. 3 movement I. Of course it might be that the the final movement (which I haven't played yet) makes Op. 2 No. 3 more demanding overall, but by no means is any of the first 3 sonatas easy.

Try Op. 10 No. 1, Op. 49 (both) or Op. 79. They seem to be easies among the whole 32.

Pathetique 2nd is, from a technical point of view, a good exercise for phrasing and voicing. But for the whole sonata you will need tremolos, jumps, staccato scales and a bunch of other things. Might be too much for a first Beethoven sonata.

[ail]

accent egu= trill

Actually, I think the 'accent egu' is the diacritic over the 'e', as in 'pathétique' instead of 'pathetique'. I don't know what language 'egu' is supposed to be, but if it is French, then I think it should be 'aigu'.

Alex

[rex]

Thank you for your answers, they have been very helpful. I appreciate all of your comments, but especially Pianistimo's, because of specifying which were the notes I was supposed to play.
About choosing another Sonata as my first one to learn, I am determined for it to be the Pathétique, but of course I will learn some other small pieces in the meantime, for having more experience. I also appreciate your recommendations, and surely I will study some of the Sonatas you have mentioned. You have no idea how grateful I am for your help, I thought nobody was going to reply. Anyway, if I can help you in something, someday, you can be sure I will be there. Thanks everybody again.

[thierry13]

Actually, I think the 'accent egu' is the diacritic over the 'e', as in 'pathétique' instead of 'pathetique'. I don't know what language 'egu' is supposed to be, but if it is French, then I think it should be 'aigu'.

Alex

You are right, it's in french and it's accent aigu, and it indeed is the é of pathétique. But, you can't really associate Pathétique with sonata, because it would be a bilingual title It would be Sonate pathétique in french.

[ramseytheii]

You are right, it's in french and it's accent aigu, and it indeed is the é of pathétique. But, you can't really associate Pathétique with sonata, because it would be a bilingual title It would be Sonate pathétique in french.

Bravo!

Walter Ramsey

[amelialw]

I would'nt reccomend that you learn this piece now as usually a student will only learn it at the late intermediate level.

[b.piano]

I would'nt reccomend that you learn this piece now as usually a student will only learn it at the late intermediate level.

well...........

I started playing piano only 6 months ago.. and my teacher told recently that we'll start working on the 1st movement of the Pathetique Sonata when the institute start again ( in September)... he said that working on this piece may take me one year or tow years coz IU'm a bigginer.. but I think I'll make it.. I mean he said (we might start working on Toccata -A. Khachaturian- next year & will take long time to finish it.. & you know what?? I finished it this year in 1 month & a half!!! he was shucked.. & even the Nocturne in E Flat op.9 no.2 (Chopin) when I asked him to start working on it... he said no it's very hard,, but we started & I finished it.. this time he told that we'll work onit, & I belive I can do it