Beethoven Sonata Op.90

[pianovlad1996]

I was wondering why is this sonata considered so difficult. I played it about 1 year ago and I feel it's not so difficult compared to Op.7 or Op.10 No.3 (I played these two and Op.10 No.1, Op.13 and Op.49) but it's ranked up there with Waldstein, Appassionata and Les Adieux .I looked at a lot of rankings even Liszt's and Barenboim's and this sonata is ranked as being very difficult. Also, many pianists had technical and musical difficulties, the required technique being a bit odd. The left hand runs being hard to play well even for big hands. Also it's a very morbid and deep sonata. Hope you can give me an explanation.
Timea

[beebert]

I have been thinking about this also, and the only thing I can think of is the musical difficulties... I don't know, as I haven't played the sonata, but when looking at the score I don't see why it's supposed to be so difficult..

[lorditachijr]

The notes of this sonata (and yes, I mean notes) are not that difficult. Unfortunately (or fortunately, maybe) with mostly all mid-to-late Beethoven, the notes are just the beginning of the piece. They require a maturity and consciousness about tone, texture, etc. that just isn't present in many of the early sonatas. I know a lot of high school students who can play the notes of the Appassionata, Waldstein, and many other of the mature Beethoven works, but to this day I have never heard one live (myself included) who could play any of them like an artist. The one mid-to-late Beethoven Sonata I've ever delved into was the Appassionata, and after working on it for half a year and performing it several times, I realized that I simply was not (and am not) ready for it. I think I'll return to the Appassionata and hopefully work on many other mature Beethoven works, but definitely not for a few more years.

[keyboardclass]

You can damage yourself on the is it tenths?  ...been a while.

[j_menz]

I love this Sonata!!

The tenths in the first movement are a bit of a pain to do, but overall I think the main difficulty is in  the dynamics and tone quality.  I'd rate it as being the equal of the Waldstein or Appassionata in difficulty, though in terms of just hitting the notes in order in time, those two are harder.

I'm disappointed you find it morbid, I find the second movement one of Beethoven's most beautiful and tranquil.

[precipitato]

The musical difficulties concealed within frightens all people away...

playing the piano isn't about hitting the right notes, it is music that matters!

oh, where did you find Liszt's rankings? thanks!

[goldentone]

I have not worked on this sonata, but playing through it one night I found it falling into my fingers naturally.  This is the first I've heard the Op. 90 considered as one of Beethoven's most difficult sonatas, so it baffles me as well.  The earlier remark about its difficulty lying in the maturity needed may be right.  It is deep.  And there is a warmth to its darkness.

[keyboardclass]

I have not worked on this sonata, but playing through it one night I found it falling into my fingers naturally.  This is the first I've heard the Op. 90 considered as one of Beethoven's most difficult sonatas, so it baffles me as well.  The earlier remark about its difficulty lying in the maturity needed may be right.  It is deep.  And there is a warmth to its darkness.

Again, those 10ths can damage your hand.  In the end I found it far too programatic, obnoxious in that aspect - look at the dedication.

[gn622]

what do you people mean by tenth?