Beethoven Appassionata Movement 1?

[extremelyfatchicken]

I was going to play the 3rd movement of the Les Adieux sonata but now I heard the first movement of this sonata and I love it.  How difficult is this sonata?  I haven't played beethoven for while, and the last sonata I've played by him was the moonlight 3rd movement, but that was over a year ago.  I've played Chopin etudes op 10 no 12 and op 10 no 1 and his 2nd scherzo.

Can anyone inform me about the difficulty of this piece?  I'm okay with challenges.

[perelea]

Hey,

Im not such a great pianist, so im not sure how worthy my opinion on this will be. However I think I might be of about similar level as you (I play Chopin etude op 10 no. 8  ), so I will give my thoughts. I've learnt the second and third movement of appassionata and I am currently memorizing the 1st one. I find it pretty challenging. It defo is harder then moonlight 3rd. It seems to me about as hard as the 3rd movement of appassionata (but of a diferent nature). There is alot of different techniques involved in the 1st movement, so in terms of learning something I think it's a great thing to play.

It appears to me so far that it's not THAT hard to be able to play it, but defo takes alot of work till you make it sound as it should sound, as there is alot of stuff in it that needs understanding and perfecting. It's not a "rush down" like the moonlight 3rd or appassionata 3rd.

[wert718]

I learned it for competition. It's long (9 min.), but worth it! Good choice.

[3kitty333]

Its not that hard I memorize it quiet fast and it´s not so dofficult to play it but I like the third mvt the most

[extremelyfatchicken]

so it's not that hard? 

[wert718]

Not really, only the sixteenths in groups of five, really.

[precipitato]

it is hard. don't ever underestimate the difficulty of that demonic masterpiece!

technically, everyone can play the notes. but to outstand, you see how many people can produce the real music, the real grief of Man's forces fighting against nature (that's what i feel, but everyone has their own feelings), how many can do it? it is a complex work. not easy.

[iratior]

I don't blame anyone for wanting to learn to play the Appassionata sonata.   I would suspect that the piece has beauties invisible to many of those who would not do good work playing it, and many of those to whom the beauties are invisible never choose to learn it in the first place.  But wanting to learn the Appassionata sonata is no excuse for failing to learn the last movement of Les Adieux! (And how does everybody like the runs in chords in the Les Adieux's first movement?)

[yodaofpiano]

I don't blame anyone for wanting to learn to play the Appassionata sonata.   I would suspect that the piece has beauties invisible to many of those who would not do good work playing it, and many of those to whom the beauties are invisible never choose to learn it in the first place.  But wanting to learn the Appassionata sonata is no excuse for failing to learn the last movement of Les Adieux! (And how does everybody like the runs in chords in the Les Adieux's first movement?)

Totally Agree! Play both if you can. Regarding difficulty, I think that most people agree that the Waldstein, Appassionata, and Les Adieux are close in difficulty. So if your teacher (I'm assuming it's your teacher who recommended that you play the Les Adieux) suggested to play a movement from the Les Adieux, I think it's reasonable to assume that you can handle the Appassionata. Of course, the major difference between the two pieces are the length. The Appassionata is so much longer than the Les Adieux, so I think stamina is going to be the biggest issue. Have fun.

[fftransform]

If you can play those Chopin pieces well, then the 1st movement of the Appassionata is probably at just the right level for you.  However, the third movement might be too advanced; Les Adieux, as a whole, would probably be more manageable.  Waldstein or any of the Op. 101+ would almost definitely be too advanced.  Have you considered the Tempest Sonata?  It is considerably easier, and in the same, general vein as the Appassionata.  You might have more fun with that piece, rather than struggling with Op. 57.