which one should I learn?help me please?

[amelialw]

Recently about more then a month ago, my teacher decided that I should learn a Beethoven Sonata because my previous teacher barely exposed me to him. I tried his Sonata in C major Op.2 No.3, listened to it and told myself I would eventually like it but it kept on striking me as being to much of a Haydn Sonata and not being what I really wanted yet I still practised it. A few days ago on you tube I heard his Sonata Op.110 and I just really loved it so I went to search for it, while I was doing that I listened to Op.2 No.2 and I really liked it too. Now I'm stuck, although I don't like most of Beethoven's works, I love these 2 and I don't know what to do...

[imbetter]

beethovens last 5 sonatas are his hardest. the last 3 he wrote when he was deaf so it was more of a pure music thing and less pianistic, since he was deaf, he just left learning it up to the performer. Op.110 in my opinion is the easiest of the last 5-though it has a very difficult fugue.

Op.2 no.2, being one of his earlier sonatas, being more pianist and less technically challenging,  the early sonatas also resembled classical style and tradition, as apposed to his later sonatas (including 110) which resembled a romantic style with a little bit of beethovens own ideas.

to the point, I personally like op.110 better than op.2 no.2. If your willing to put in a bit of extra work then do op.110 as I think it would be a more rewarding work. For less work you could also learn the also great op.2 no.2 which wouldn't be more like a haydn sonata and not as technically challenging.

All-and-all, I think it's just a matter of personal preference.


Good luck!

[mephisto]

beethovens last 5 sonatas are his hardest. the last 3 he wrote when he was deaf so it was more of a pure music thing and less pianistic, since he was deaf, he just left learning it up to the performer. Op.110 in my opinion is the easiest of the last 5-though it has a very difficult fugue.

2 fugues, the 2nd fugue's theme being an inversion of the theme of the 1st fugue.

[imbetter]

whatever

that just proves my point even more

[mephisto]

Indeed it does.

[furtwaengler]

2 fugues, the 2nd fugue's theme being an inversion of the theme of the 1st fugue-

With, of course, the original first subject returning in the 2nd fugue as it spirals up to the emotional climax of a deeply personal, enigmatic work. It requires some depth and experience with life and playing, but discounting the musical hurdles which will change and develop with age, op. 110 has a technically practical side which will work wonders developing tone focus and production...It's a very different world from the op. 2's.

On the op. 2's...I actually think the A major is more like a Haydn then the C major, or that the C major is much more individual connecting to his later works. The slow movement of op. 2 no. 3 is one of the wonders of the universe. 

[amelialw]

yes I know, I love the 2nd movement of Op.2 no3 but I don't really like the 1st&3rd movement...to me, that sonata is not challenging enough for me
Whereas, there are so many things that I could learn from Op.2No.2 or Op.110. I love the 1st movement of Op.110

[furtwaengler]

Oh I think the third movement of op. 2 no. 3 has such a nice line to it. It's Beethoven at his most clever.

But I understand you don't want to play it, and op. 2 no. 2 is definitely more challenging. 

[amelialw]

imbetter: I set aside at least 1 hour for practising each of my individual pieces everyday I usually practise for min 3& a half hrs a day. That would give me plenty of time to learn Op.110..but I just like both of the sonatas in their own way, if you know what I mean, but I only have the time to learn one as you can see below.

My Repertoire
- Bach:Partita No.2 in c minor
- Haydn:Sonata in E-flat major HVI/49.L/59
- Mendelssohn:Rondo Cappriccioso
- Rachmaninoff:Prelude in g- sharp minor Opus 32 No.12
- Prokofietv: Visions Fugatives
- Chopin: Etude in G-flat major Op.10 No 5
- Chopin: Etude in F major Op.10 No.8
- Beethoven:Sonata Op.2No.2 or Op.110
- Schumann:Piano Concerto in a -

[thalberg]

Recently about more then a month ago, my teacher decided that I should learn a Beethoven Sonata because my previous teacher barely exposed me to him. I tried his Sonata in C major Op.2 No.3, listened to it and told myself I would eventually like it but it kept on striking me as being to much of a Haydn Sonata and not being what I really wanted yet I still practised it. A few days ago on you tube I heard his Sonata Op.110 and I just really loved it so I went to search for it, while I was doing that I listened to Op.2 No.2 and I really liked it too. Now I'm stuck, although I don't like most of Beethoven's works, I love these 2 and I don't know what to do...

I played Opus 2 no 3.  I believe that one was actually dedicated to Haydn, so you're quite correct in your assessment.

Beethoven even paid an homage to Haydn by giving a second theme in the dominant minor before giving one the dominant major.  This was a very "outdated" practice by then (1790 or so).  Haydn had done this in only a few of his earlier symphonies--Nos 1,2,4,5 and 15 I think, all written before about 1761 or so.

Technically that piece is really hard---4th movement is a headache but great.

[amelialw]

who about Op.2 No.2 and Op.110? Thalberg, which one do you think is harder?

[electrodoc]

It rather depends on what standard you are aiming for. All Beethaoven sonatas present some degree of challenge to get to a good performance standard.

The Op110 is difficult both technically and musically and perhaps should wait until you have thoroughly absorbed more of his style in different periods. The early sonatas are more classical in style; the middle period show a huge leap forward in imagination and the later sonatas go to a different level again.

Op 2 No2 is not too technically demanding but does present some interesting difficulties. First mvt. - in  the expostion there are some tricky runs. The problem is the Beethoven misses out one note of the scale in each run. Fingering is crucial here. The opening of the development section give practice with tremolo's and then comes some very trickly tenths. These are possibly more difficult than anything in Op2 No3. The problem is to get the timing exact and then to get them up to speed. Te recap. presents no additional problems

If you like this sonata I suggest that you really master this one first. To bring it up to full speed will show how good you are.

Have a look on the performance board - there is very good recording here.

Have fun.

Electrodoc

[furtwaengler]

I played Opus 2 no 3.  I believe that one was actually dedicated to Haydn, so you're quite correct in your assessment.

Actually all three Op. 2's are dedicated to Haydn, his teacher. I'd heard they didn't get along...imagine that!

[thalberg]

who about Op.2 No.2 and Op.110? Thalberg, which one do you think is harder?

Sorry, I have not played either of those...so I really don't know firsthand.

[thalberg]

Actually all three Op. 2's are dedicated to Haydn, his teacher. I'd heard they didn't get along...imagine that!

Yes indeed the three were dedicated to Haydn, and they did not get along.  Beethoven thought Haydn was purposely overlooking mistakes in his counterpoint exercises so as not to help him.  And when they went for coffee, Haydn made Beethoven pay even though Haydn was gainfully employed and Beethoven was broke.

[elevateme_returns]

My Repertoire

- Chopin: Etude in F major Op.10 No.8

thats HARD !!! if you can learn something as difficult as that just go with the sonata you like the most

[counterpoint]

thats HARD !!! if you can learn something as difficult as that just go with the sonata you like the most

It's something complete different. There are pianists around that can play Chopin Etudes very well, but play Beethoven Sonatas absolutely weak. Or the other way round.

It's a good advise to just play what you like most.

[elevateme_returns]

i meant technique wise shed obviously be able to play it

[amelialw]

haha.. Thanks! I guess I will learn Op.110. I can't play chopin etudes that well yet, the pendulum teachnique for Op.10 No.8 is really hard, still trying to get it up to full speed, even if I do, I break down halfway now.Lol  Anyway thanks for all of your help! 

[elevateme_returns]

best of luck . fabulous piece

[amelialw]

I finally talked to my teacher, she said she would like to let me learn Op.110 but she needs my to have a Beethoven sonata that I can prepare for my competition in late Nov so we decided on Op.2 No.2. I'm happy with the decision she made, she said she'll teach me Op.110 after I'm done with my ARCT Performer's Exam.

[slobone]

Yes indeed the three were dedicated to Haydn, and they did not get along.  Beethoven thought Haydn was purposely overlooking mistakes in his counterpoint exercises so as not to help him.  And when they went for coffee, Haydn made Beethoven pay even though Haydn was gainfully employed and Beethoven was broke.

That was when Beethoven started pretending to be deaf:

"Luddy, could you pay, I seem to have forgotten my wallet."

"What? Speak up Herr Haydn, I can't hear you!"

etc.

[amelialw]

really? Op.2 No.2 was written when he was turning deaf?

[furtwaengler]

Didn't Haydn attend a private performance of Beethoven's 3rd Symphony, and leave visibly shaken saying music would never, ever be the same again?

[counterpoint]

That was when Beethoven started pretending to be deaf:

"Luddy, could you pay, I seem to have forgotten my wallet."

"What? Speak up Herr Haydn, I can't hear you!"

etc.

    ROFL

[slobone]

really? Op.2 No.2 was written when he was turning deaf?

No, I said he was pretending to be deaf.

Anyway, how do we know he was really deaf anyway? For all we know he was faking it as a publicity stunt...

[rallestar]

No, I said he was pretending to be deaf.

Anyway, how do we know he was really deaf anyway? For all we know he was faking it as a publicity stunt...