Would Beethoven's Sonata in G Major op. 14 no. 2 be considered difficult?

[gracielolita]

I've just started learning this piece, and I'm also wondering how long it took you to learn it.  thanks 

[stevebob]

The short answer is probably “no,” though it really depends on what Op. 14 No. 2 is being compared to.

In his preface to the complete sonatas published by G. Schirmer, one of the editors, Sigmund Lebert, classifies Beethoven’s pieces for piano solo by difficulty into three broad groups; the pair of Op. 14 is in the first (i.e., easiest) group.

Friskin and Freundlich write the following (in Music for the Piano):

Another sonata with only moderate technical demands, and with charming musical quality, which does not always appear in a schoolroom performance—the repeated D of measures 9 and 11 is a test of the player’s sensitiveness.  The main difficulties are to be found in the left hand staccatos of the first movement’s development, the balance of tone in the first variation in the Andante, and the clear accentuation of the opening measures of the last movement.

I hope this helps.

[magio]

All beethoven's sonatas are demanding but the term 'too difficult' would match actually to those of Opus numbers let's say 110 for instance!

[liordavid]

yes. Many don't see the deeper meaning of the expression and technique. This piece is a lot harder then it looks but still nothing compared to the higher opus numbers in the hundreds. there are defenitely a bunch of Beethoven and other composer sonatas the same level as the opus fourteen number two

[birba]

In most competitions its ruled out in: "A Beethoven sonata, with the exception of the following..."  But I played it in one of my few competition bouts, and it got me a bronze medal!

[magio]

Ι agree at 100% with Liordavid