Help me find a Beethoven sonata!!

[Anna]

Hello. I need help!!
I am planning a set of repertoire for graduate audition.
Here is what I have to far:
-Bach toccata in E Minor
-Schumann Kreisleriana
-Kapustin Sonata #1

I am missing a piece from a classical period, but I don't want to play Haydn or Mozart because I always play them. I am looking for a Beethoven Sonata that is not terribly difficult, not too well-known, not too easy, and very charming. Can you suggest me something?
I had tendonitis before in the right arm, so I don't want a piece that has very demanding right hand techiniques.


Thanks!!

p.s. by the way I also need a fast etude for this audition. Let me know if you know an etude that's not too difficult on the right hand!  thanks so much!!

[Diabolos]

Hi there.

There are certainly a lot of nice Beethoven sonatas, I'd suggest Nr. 7 (I hope I remember that one right, since I don't have the sheetmusic at hand; it starts off with a syncopic chord pattern in the right hand, however).
You could also go for one of the last sonatas, since they are very deep, mostly quite slow but lyrical pieces, which aren't played very often; you don't have too much hard work for the right hand in them, either.

Did you think about trying an Etude for the left Hand? These are usually quite relaxing pieces for the right one - there are some by scriabin, debussy and, a common piece, Chopin's revolutionary.

I don't know if that's any help at all   But good luck to you!

[Anna]

Oh!! Thank you thank you so much!!I will go to the music library tomorrow if it's open, and look at the sonata No. 7.
Which one of the late sonatas do you recommend? I am not familiar with any of them except one: one year ago I brought Op. 101 (is this the right op. number? it's that piece in E major that goes like G#-A-B-C#-E-D-B at the beginning)  to a lesson for the first time, and my teacher said  "this is a piece that I definitely wouldn't recommend." Since my teacher does not say these things very often, I assumed that the piece was way too difficult and I dropped the piece.  Sure enough, when I heard other students play this piece, I understood why she said that. ...   It's sometimes hard to tell the difficulty of the piece by just looking at the score so I chose a wrong one.

Thanks for your help!

[Binko_Binobo]

Hi Anna,

You may or may not know this, but if you have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer (you probably do,) you can find public domain editions of many classical works at: https://www.sheetmusicarchive.net

You can look over the recommended sonatas to get an idea of what they're like. And even print them out if you wish (it's all legal.) But I do prefer getting real shhet music rather than computer printouts.

[Diabolos]

Hi again.

I looked over the sonatas and got a few suggestions for you:

You may choose one of  the Sonatas Op.10, which are not often played at recitals but great pieces; then there's the Sonata op.26, which starts witch a enchanting andante con variazioni, has a marcia funebre in it and ends (unfortunately) with a allegro that needs some agile left hand, though it is one of the really modest 3rd movements by Beethoven.
You should also do a check on Op.31. Nr.1 and Op.81 a, Les Adieux, which I would recommend for it's high intensity and importance in B's life. His farewell sonata, dedicated to his good friend and sponso archduke Rudolf of Austria.

I also had a look at the sonata which I wanted to recommend first, and, though it's one of the shorter ones, I fund it very difficult and complex (it's the last one), so you probably shouldn't go for this.

Anyway, tell me if you're playing one of these; I'm really curious about that.

Regards

[Anna]

Hey thanks so much!
I didn't know that there was such a great site to look at scores! It was so helpful. I wish I knew about this site before!
I thought about the pieces you recommended: I played the first movement of Op.10 No. 1 and 2 when I was 10, so I always had an impression that his earlier sonatas were written for children. I guess I was not right!  Out of all the pieces I recommended (except Op. 81a which I played several years ago), I like Op.10 No. 2  in F major the best.  But the problem is that the last movement sounds silly to me. I'm sure it's not a silly movement, but I struggle to listen to that movement without laughing....  what's wrong with me!!?
so.... I am still in the process of trying to decide.    

[Diabolos]

Uh, I don't think there's anything wrong with you; not everyone likes that sonata, which is completely acceptable.
Beethoven's sonatas weren't actually written for children, since Beethoven reportedly had a strong aversion towards 'wunderkinder', and Czerny himself writes in a book about the sonatas that they were intended to play by adults who are capable of completely understand his music (since hi created various styles, including naturalism and programmatics transferred into musical moments).
Though I need to confess that I played B's sonatas as a kid, too..
But I have lots of fun recovering them.
Anyway, good luck to you.

[MikeThePianist]

The last audition I played, I performed the Beethoven Sonata Op. 7.  NO one else played it, wherever I went.  It's an amazing piece.  All of the movements are fun, the slow mvmt is gorgeous.  It is a tad on the long side, but it's worth looking into.

Mike

[janice]

Hi!  Still looking for a Beethoven Sonata?  Try Op. 31 No. 2.  I did that in college (I think it was for my Senior Recital.  If you have tendonitis in your right arm, you would probably enjoy playing this sonata.  Only about 4 or 5 lines of  parallel octaves in the r.h. in the entire sonata.  That's good news!  Slow mpvement is beautiful.  3rd movement has a nice balance between the hands, it's a ton of broken chords.  Might seem awefully dull, but it really is beautiful--plus ease to memorize!  Hey, can't go wrong with that!  Let us know what you end up doing, and good luck!

[Anna]

Hello!!
I appreciate the suggestions so much! I looked at the score for the pieces that were suggested. Most suggestions are for his earlier sonatas- I guess his earlier sonatas are easier after all.

Hey,I played op. 31 no. 2 in a recital several year ago too!! It's such a great piece- I don't think it's dull at all. technically not difficult, really fun, and musical piece- exactly what I need. However I played it already and I hate playing something I played in the past (I need to get over this, I know) so I cannot do this one.....

I also looked at op. 7. I played the first movement of this when I was a kid, but I don't know the other movements. How long is this piece? I didn't want a long piece but if it's really interesting piece, I would go for it!!

I don't know for sure which one I want to do, but I will probably play either op.10 no. 1 or op.7 (if it's not terribly long)    Thanks so much for your help!

[MikeThePianist]

The Op. 7 sonata is a tad on the long side.  ;-)  One of my teachers told me that the only one longer is the Hammerklavier.  The slow movement doesn't look that long on paper, but it is.  The last movement is also longer.  However, it is an incredible piece of music and shows off technique as well as musicality.  I have no regrets about playing that for my auditions.  I absolutely love it, and I highly recommend it (just give yourself lots of time to learn it).

Mike

[Mandy]

Hi,

Just thought I'd give you my 2 cents.  I just recently auditioned for Grad. School and played Op.26, the one with the variations.  I think this is a great piece because you get such an incredible variety  in playing throughout the movements.  Everyone wanted to hear the first movement (variations) and the 3rd movement (funeral march).  I'm not sure how popular it is, but I had never heard it played, and all through my undergrad, I was the only who did play it.  It wasn't hard to learn, it was easy to memorize and the technique was quite reasonable, you shouldn't have any problems with it, with your tedonitis.  Both of my auditions were successful, so they obviously liked it.

What school are you applying to?  Let us know which sonata you decide to go with, I'm sure we're all curious as to which one you will pick!  It's a tough decision, there's so many great sonatas to pick from.

Good luck!
Mandy

[Anna]

Hello!

I was traveling this week and I didn't get to check this site for a while... thanks for giving me more advice!!

I was just about to decide to play Op. 7 but I now need to check out the Op. 26 too! After that I can finally decide. I am keeping myself busy with other repertoire so this decision of Beethoven sonata is not really in a hurry. Another reason that I am not deciding very quickly is that I am not the biggest fan of Beethoven, to tell you the truth.    I like it sometimes, but often times I feel very distant from his music. But I know it's great music and I want to make effort to like it more!! I have been avoiding it for a while and it's about time I get back to it..

To answer your question I am applying for University of Toronto for master's degree. I am already accepted into another school for this year but the tuition is a bit too mcuh for me... I need a school that gives me more scholarship.

Thanks a lot once again! I will try to make up my mind soon!

[SteveK]

Hi Anna!

Why not try Beethoven's Sonata "Pathetique"?  It's very beautiful!    
If you like fast Etudes, try Chopin's Etude 12, op 10; and Etude no. 10, op. 25!!!    

[Anna]

Thanks for your reply!!

I am thinking that I will probably play Op. 26- it was recommended by two people already and I will see how it goes.  
I was thinking of playing Pathetique at first, actually. It really is beautiful. The only thing is that it's so famous and I don't like the way many people play it (I don't mean to be picking on people, but..) so I didn't have the best impression of the piece. But I definitely want to play it sometime in my life!  
About the etudes, I already started playing Chopin Etude Op. 25 No. 11 about a week ago. I don't know how difficult it is because it's not quite up to tempo yet, but I will find out.  Have you played Op. 25 No. 10? It seems so difficult to me because of octaves. The reason I got tendinitis in the past was because of overplaying octaves, so I am kind of scared to play it. But I need to get practice on octaves-  in fact, I think I will start working on it tomorrow just for practice, not for performance.
I played a lot of Chopin etudes in the past. There was a period of my life (early in college) where I had a strong dream to become extremely virtuosic pianist, and that's when I was obsessed with etudes and damaged my arm. I just don't want to repeat that mistake!

Thanks a lot!

[SteveK]

You're welcome!  
I have my interpretation of the Chopin Etudes on this link
https://www.tonos.com/app2/DispatchServlet?e=PURL&l=stephenkopp&/x/u=/Profiles/stephenkopp
Sorry to hear about your arm.  I work on my technique so I don't hurt myself!
Are you 100% now!?  I hope so!!  

[Benn]

Hey Anna

I would not recommend any of the late sonatas. Have you looked at Op.78 (F#)?? It's a wonderful sonata; lyrical, deep and said to be Beethoven's favourate one.

[Anna]

Hello!!

Thanks Steve for your message- your site was nice. On the computer that I use, I cannot listen to the recordings! It's because I just moved to another city and I am in a computer cafe. I will try to listen whenever I can!!
In answer to your question, no, my arm is not completely better. It WAS better, but last week I saw a nice closet on the street and I attempted to carry it home (because I have no furniture yet!) It was so heavy, and I think I hurt my right arm again.. AAHHH I am so stupid!!   But at least I have a closet now.. sigh
I can't practice for a couple of days.

And thanks Benn for your advice. I will make sure to check out Op. 78.
I can't believe I still can't make up my mind on which one to play- it's because every time I think I made up my mind, someone posts a new message and I end up checking out another piece!! But I appreciate it so much. I am learning a lot about Beethoven sonatas!!

[MikeThePianist]

I'm actually playing the Op. 78 right now.  It's a great piece...so deep.  It's not played often, though it was one was Beethoven's three favorite sonatas (the others were Hammerklavier and Appassionata).  It's much shorter than the other two, but equally as great.  I would give it a look.  The second movement is great fun.  Good luck choosing.  :-)

Mike

[ned]

May I chime in?  You might look at Beethoven sonata op 54 in F major, the short one between the Waldstein and the Appassionata. If you like it, I think it would do the trick. It is playful and pianistic. A knowledgeable audience would be impressed. Or maybe op 78, but I think it is harder.  On the etudes, stay away from Chopin op 25 in octaves. Those octaves are far harder on the muscles than any octaves by Liszt.  It comes down to the difference between legato and staccato.  Op 25 no 11 will really put a strain on your RH. The first page lies easily but there are some very cruel and awkward sections later on and no rest! The RH fingers and wrist have to be very strong and active.    How about op 25 nos 4 and 5.   No 4 is a virtuoso piece for the LH, a pizzicato caprice. Can be played very fast if clean. Artur Rubinstein played no 5 in concert many times. Hauntingly beautiful. I bet no one else would do them. Good luck!

[Anna]

Hey this is Anna.
I finally started to actually work on Op. 78. The most appealing thing about this piece is that it's really short... and beautiful. I thought it looks easy, but I hear that it's not as easy as it looks on the page. But I'm sure I would have fun with it! I will play it for my recital in December.

About the etude, I kind of dropped Chopin Op. 25 No. 11. Maybe I will do Op. 25 No. 3 or 4 (as recommended) or maybe No. 5. Thanks for your suggestions!!

 

[angelucci1]

Hi there,

They're all great! You can feel good about picking any one really (except either of the op. 48 or op. 79, which really ARE for less advanced players).  Think about these:

Op. 2, No. 1 (very effective, rarely played)
Any Op. 10 sonata (No. 3 is the more difficult in that group)
Op. 26
Op. 31, No. 2 "Tempest"
Op. 78
Op. 90

Good luck!