Beethoven/Sonatas/Order (kind of common question...)

[desordre]

Dear fellows:
Some questions regarding difficulty of Beethoven's Sonatas:

- In your opinion, what is the harder movement: opus 2/1 fourth, opus 13 first, or opus 27/2 third? Why?
- To a pupil who already plays opus 2/1 first, which one is the best choice to follow? Do you think that there is a gap? In that case, what pieces shall complete the repertoire between them?

I know we're talking about somewhat subjective matter, but my question is really about this. There are orderings of complete sonatas, and in that case, they seem to agree that the order is opus 2/1, opus 27/2 and opus 13. Anyway, I think that the later two are very unballanced in their level. The opus 27/2 first and second movements are quite easy (although the problems of sound and touch of the first), but there a blast on the third. The opus 13 is the opposite: the second and third are piece of cake in comparison with the first. Finally, the opus 2/1 is better balanced, despite the last movement. Hence, my question about the relative difficulty of the three movements.
Thanks in advance for your kind attention.
Best wishes, and - by the way - Merry Christmas!

[desordre]

 Hello there!
 Anyone?
 Thanks.
 Best!

[kd]

My personal experience is that the 2/1 is not very well balanced. It took me about a month to get through movements I, II, III (which are not too fast and challenges occur only in specific places), whereas mvt IV required more than 4 months to get to a relatively good standard. Actually, I think a lot depends on how fast you want to play: you have the range from Arrau's tempo (around half note=100) to Richter's version (which is 120 if not more). My tempo was about 104 and I know that getting extra 10 would entail at least another month (I don't feel I like it faster, however). I haven't touched Pathetique nor Moonlight yet, but I've heard the matter looks similar.
Anyway, for someone who already plays 2/1 mvt I (and so will have no serious problems with mvts II and III) I would recommend completing one sonata rather than jumping between movements taken from different ones.

[desordre]

 Dear KD:
 Thanks for your insights. The question you arise about performance tempo is of great relevance, since it makes a lot of difference in difficuly issues.
 I agree only partially with you in something: sometimes, I think one gets more from playing three movements from three different sonatas than playing one complete. Of course, it depends on the level of the student.
 Best to you, and Merry Christmas!