the logical next-step for Beethoven sonatas

[daggenhurstfan]

Hey there, so I have breifly played through many of the 32 before, (as well as the Eb major W.o.o)
as of recently I have begun extremely regimenting my daily practice routine of 4-6 hours (depending on my other work for the day) and have begun to pursue the goal of memorizing a good chunck of the repertoire, so as not to be reliant on the sheet music)

I decided upon the Moonlight Sonata, Op. 27 #2, as the first sonata of Beethoven to be memorized, and have since accomplished the task.

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for the next one? I do not play these all that well yet, and, in the process of memorizing, intensively work on them both technically and musically. (It can be assumed in your thought process, however, that I play all 3 movements of Op.27 #2 well and to a fine standard both musically and technically)

I was thinking of moving on to the Pastorale or Pathetique, but would love your input before i begin.

Cheers

[zezhyrule]

Do whichever ones you like and enjoy 

[music_doctor]

2d movement? I reccomend you tackle the first movement and the third movement, obvioulsy the third movement is going to be a lot harder thaou n the first movement, but once you can play all three movements you can brag too your friends 

[ceapaire]

If you're choosing between Op 28 and Op 13, I'd say go for Op 28. It's got quite a different sound to Op 27 No 2, so it should make a nice change

[daggenhurstfan]

i actually have completed all 3 movements, and I agree with you, the Pastorale really does have a different feel to both pathetique and moonlight

[jayeckz]

I'm not sure if I'm understanding you, but are you implying that you don't actually play the Moonlight well?  I think it's silly to make the assumption that you can play the sonata well if you can't.

To me, assuming you could play Beethoven's Op. 27 No. 2 well to a fine standard assumes so much in terms of pianistic ability and skill.  I only know a few people that can play a Beethoven sonata very well.  These people are world class musicians.  I've yet to meet someone who can play a Beethoven sonata well that's not a world class musician.

Anyway, if I were to make this assumption and you asked me what to learn next, I would say whatever you like the most.

[49410enrique]

i agree w what was said about just playing what you like.

my vote goes for no 18 (op 31 no 3 ) this is the last of the sonatas with a minuet mvmnt beethoven composed, also has one of those silly 'name' , 'the hunt'

https://vimeo.com/36204872
https://vimeo.com/36205141
https://vimeo.com/36205346
https://vimeo.com/36205430

Musicology:
Piano Sonata No.18 in Eb, Op.31, No.3 ('The Hunt')

Key: Eb
 Year: 1802
 Genre: Sonata
 Pr. Instrument: Piano
 
1.Allegro
2.Scherzo: Allegro vivace
3.Menuetto: Moderato e grazioso
4.Presto con fuoco

[daggenhurstfan]

I'm not sure if I'm understanding you, but are you implying that you don't actually play the Moonlight well?  I think it's silly to make the assumption that you can play the sonata well if you can't.

To me, assuming you could play Beethoven's Op. 27 No. 2 well to a fine standard assumes so much in terms of pianistic ability and skill.  I only know a few people that can play a Beethoven sonata very well.  These people are world class musicians.  I've yet to meet someone who can play a Beethoven sonata well that's not a world class musician.

Anyway, if I were to make this assumption and you asked me what to learn next, I would say whatever you like the most.

hey there sorry about the ambiguity, I do indeed play the moonlight very well, the ones I don't are ( understandably) the ones I haven't devoted as much time to. My question was in an attempt to see what others would want to play next, as sometimes that's more fun than picking one yourself ( in my opinion) because of course they are all masterpieces and I love them all dearly

[kalirren]

There really isn't a logical sequence, is there?  If you have the technique for 27.2, you have the technique for basically all (if not simply all) of Beethoven's sonatas before that one, and a good deal of the later ones as well.

OK, I take that back.  I guess for me there is one logical order.  The only logical order would be order of composition - choosing to experience learning the sonatas by heart in the order they were composed.  Musicologically, you might find something interesting that way about the process of Beethoven's composition.

[j_menz]

Why not start at the beginning (Op2 No1) and work your way through?

[philb]

If you have the technique for 27.2, you have the technique for basically all (if not simply all) of Beethoven's sonatas before that one, and a good deal of the later ones as well.

What? Even Op. 2 no. 2, Op. 2 no. 3, Op. 7, Op. 10 no. 3, Op. 22, Op. 26, and Op. 27 no. 1? I would say all of those are much harder than the moonlight.

[ceapaire]

What? Even Op. 2 no. 2, Op. 2 no. 3, Op. 7, Op. 10 no. 3, Op. 22, Op. 26, and Op. 27 no. 1? I would say all of those are much harder than the moonlight.

Op 7 especially. Perhaps not Op 27 no 1, but definitely most of the others (bar, perhaps, the op 10 sonatas).

[kalirren]

What? Even Op. 2 no. 2, Op. 2 no. 3, Op. 7, Op. 10 no. 3, Op. 22, Op. 26, and Op. 27 no. 1? I would say all of those are much harder than the Moonlight.

Yes, they are harder.  I chose my words poorly.  Given technical and musical mastery of 27.2 and 4 hours a day of practice, I'd think that seriously attempting any of the earlier sonatas, especially the ones you listed above, would inherently lead to enough technical growth to make the challenge pianistically constructive.  Would you disagree?

[zezhyrule]

You can't go wrong with Beethoven piano sonatas. Close your eyes and randomly pick one, it'll be perfect for you  

As for the 'logical' step... There really isn't one. You could learn 27/1, then you'd have the entire Op. 27 I guess. Also I really love that sonata, probably more than 27/2   Or... go to the next one? the Pastoral sonata is just amazing, though it's certainly a step up.