Beethoven's hardest ones

[Desperado]

I would like your opinions.  I believe (one of my piano professors also agrees) that two of the probably top five (the hardest in Book I for sure) Beethoven sonatas are his 2nd and 3rd (Op. 2, No. 2 and 3 in A and C).  

I am will be getting some of my recital music together after juries a weeks from monday.  And I was wondering
which of these two should be played first, i.e. in preparation for the other. I'm musicially mature enough now that I could under what's really going in both, but they each have very different and DIFFICULT technical characteritics. Anyone that has played both?

[88keys]

I've played them both, although it has been quite a while.

I agree that they are quite difficult, but I don't think they are anywhere near the top 5.

For one, every single one of beethoven's last five sonatas (no. 28 to 32) is harder. I think the Apassionata and the Waldstein sonatas are also at least as difficult as no. 2.

That's my opinion, anyway.

As for which one to play first: Why not simply play them in order? After all, Beethoven published them as part of a set.

[Desperado]

true. thanks for your input. I guess i was just looking for an excuse to put off no. 2,  the only time i've heard and seen it performed at my school was when one of my professors grad students did it about 4 years ago. no one's attempted it since (it was amazing by the way, guess even though i know i can own the piece in about 8 months, i'm a tad intimidated by it). i'll definitely have to go through most of book I before attacking the "final five"-my professor knows/says (and I totally agree) that I'm not musically mature enough at this stage to perform those works right now. thanks again for your reply.  

[Diabolos]

I think 88keys has a point in that - the Op.2 Sonatas are not really close to the five hardest ones; ok, number three's a little tricky, but not that difficult.

In terms of expression, the last sonatas are certainly the most demanding; but technically, in my view, the 'Hammerklavier' sonata is his opus primus.

But, just to tell you, I was looking for a way to get around Nr.2 myself when I was younger..didn't find it, but - well..

Good luck with the Sonata.

Regards

[angelucci1]

Hi there,

Both of these sonatas are difficult, but in very different ways.  I find No. 2 to be more lyrical and somewhat more artistic than No. 3; even the technical points must have a refined, "jeweled" quality to them.  No. 3 is more outwardly virtuosic, very characteristic in some ways of Beethoven's 1st concerto.  I have enjoyed a lot of personal satisfaction from performing No. 2 in particular ...

Eight months is a long time for any piece, so you should be okay.  Listen to a bunch of recordings and then pick the sonata that most appeals to you.

Best of luck!

[88keys]

Speaking of Beethoven's 3rd and Piano Concertos...

I've always thought that Beethoven's Sonata Op. 2/3 really "crys out" to be orchestrated into a Concerto.

The staccato chords in the coda of the 1st movement sound like a typical "orchestra hit" chord, and the coda of the 2nd movement always reminded me of soft horns.

Is it only me, or does is sonata really more orchestral than the rest?

[Diabolos]

No,it's not only you, be assured  

I've always had a similar feeling when looking at it (and playing it); it seems to consist of different instrumental voicings, giving the piano the task of imitation rather than interpretation...

Regards,

[trunks]

I have run through every one of the 32 Beethoven Sonatas - if not seriouly worked on each one of them yet - and I agree that the A major and C major from Op.2 are at least no easy stuff.

Don't be scared, however. They are not in the order of the Waldstein, the Appassionata, the Les Adieux, let alone the Hammerklavier and its 4 late companions.

Op.2 No.3 is, with all its bright and lively character, actually a delight to play, even practise. Its predecessor (the A major) has an opening movement with cascading scales that might prove to be tricky for some people.

I would certainly go for the C major because every movement is impressive in its own right. Talk about the A major sonata and I would only recall the Scherzo movement.