Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 Op. 15

[beginner0]

Just wondering, is there some kind of storyline behind this that could be fitted to the music? Or what message was Beethoven trying to send? I am not that good with music earlier than Romantic, so anything helps.

Thanks.

[teresa_b]

Hi,

I don't think there is any "story line"--Beethoven rarely composed with that in mind.  This is a beautiful piece, and pretty straightforward, in my view. 

The exposition of the 1st movement is lively, energetic, not too profound...The development section, however, is totally different--all rather soft, dreamy and questioning.  UNTIL!  The big scale leading back into the recap--then Beethoven is saying, "Surprise!  No more suspended dreaming, back to reality!

The second movement is just beautiful.  Play your heart out, but keep the tempo steady, with a little less rubato that you would in the super Romantics. 

Third movement rondo--Built on folk tunes, and completely unbuttoned!  You can imagine the somewhat bumptious country folk when playing the off-beat sf notes and the hand-crossing passages.  Not as smooth or refined as Mozart would be.  Most important--Have fun!

Teresa