Beethoven Op.2 No.3

[yohankwon]

Trying to find more information about this amazing work and I can't find much on Google :/

So....

What do you guys think? I think this is one of my favorites since it's so virtuosic and orchestra-like! I also find this sonata harder than most of the early sonatas.

[chopinfrederic]

What do you guys think? I think this is one of my favorites since it's so virtuosic and orchestra-like! I also find this sonata harder than most of the early sonatas.

It's also one of my favorites! It sounded so happy and positive. Here's my fave interpretation I'm currently hearing:

[future_maestro]

I don't know your musical level, so I can't say if it is too hard for you or not, but I'm just forewarning you that this piece is extremely hard, ranked in the top ten of Beethoven's hardest Sonata's.

The technicality of this piece requires strength to make that tremolo at the beginning and dexterity to make all the trills/mordents throughout.

[yohankwon]

I don't know your musical level, so I can't say if it is too hard for you or not, but I'm just forewarning you that this piece is extremely hard, ranked in the top ten of Beethoven's hardest Sonata's.

The technicality of this piece requires strength to make that tremolo at the beginning and dexterity to make all the trills/mordents throughout.

Look at my signature lol. What are the other 9 on the top 10 (Yes I know the late ones may be obvious but just for clarification)

[future_maestro]

Most popular order of difficulty from easiest to hardest:

1 - Op 49#2
2 - Op 49#1
3 - Op 14#1
4 - Op 2#1
5 - Op 79
6 - Op 10#1
7 - Op 14#2
8 - Op 10#2
9 - Op 26
10 - Op 13 "Pathetique"
11 - Op 54
12 - Op 27#2 "Moonlight"
13 - Op 28 "Pastoral"
14 - Op 31#3
15 - Op 78
16 - Op 31#2 "Tempest"
17 - Op. 22
18 - Op 2#3
19 - Op 2#2
20 - Op 90
21 - Op 31#1
22 - Op 27#1
23 - Op 10#3
24 - Op 7
25 - Op 110
26 - Op 57 "Appasionata"
27 - Op 109
28 - Op 81a "Les Adieux"
29 - Op 53 "Waldstein"
30 - Op 111
31 - Op 101
32 - Op 106 "Hammerklavier"
 

[beethovensonata]

Trying to find more information about this amazing work and I can't find much on Google :/

So....

What do you guys think? I think this is one of my favorites since it's so virtuosic and orchestra-like! I also find this sonata harder than most of the early sonatas.

I myself attempted this sonata, IT IS VERY HARD!  The technicality of the first measure is hard to get clear unless you are a master.  Your wrists will hurt from the rotation, and the arpeggio type runs on page 4 will make your hand burn.  Be ware of its difficulties.  How many beethoven pieces have u played? Play such ones as op 2 no 1, 49 no 1, op 31 no 3, etc BEFORE ever attempting this piece.

[yohankwon]

this piece is extremely hard, ranked in the top ten of Beethoven's hardest Sonata's.

Most popular order of difficulty from easiest to hardest:

1 - Op 49#2
2 - Op 49#1
3 - Op 14#1
4 - Op 2#1
5 - Op 79
6 - Op 10#1
7 - Op 14#2
8 - Op 10#2
9 - Op 26
10 - Op 13 "Pathetique"
11 - Op 54
12 - Op 27#2 "Moonlight"
13 - Op 28 "Pastoral"
14 - Op 31#3
15 - Op 78
16 - Op 31#2 "Tempest"
17 - Op. 22
18 - Op 2#3
19 - Op 2#2
20 - Op 90
21 - Op 31#1
22 - Op 27#1
23 - Op 10#3
24 - Op 7
25 - Op 110
26 - Op 57 "Appasionata"
27 - Op 109
28 - Op 81a "Les Adieux"
29 - Op 53 "Waldstein"
30 - Op 111
31 - Op 101
32 - Op 106 "Hammerklavier"
 

k

  the arpeggio type runs on page 4 will make your hand burn

1) AHAHAHAHA no they aren't, compared to the 16th note thirds at the beginning.
2) did you not see my signature and my previous comment reply?
3) I did op49 no2, 1st mvt of waldstein, and the moonlight before doing op2no3 in my freshman year lol; then op22 and then back to op2 no3 for auditions.

[future_maestro]

k

1) AHAHAHAHA no they aren't, compared to the 16th note thirds at the beginning.
2) did you not see my signature and my previous comment reply?
3) I did op49 no2, 1st mvt of waldstein, and the moonlight before doing op2no3 in my freshman year lol; then op22 and then back to op2 no3 for auditions.

Okay then I guess you're ready, go for it! and good luck to ya!   

[beethovensonata]

Ok man, GO THE FOR THE PHUCKER!! Damn sh*t, you don't have to frickin' rip my fockin' face off! Damn.  Go for it, you will fail, it is harder than the first movement of waldestein, and the last movement is extremely technical and hard. 

*** OFF!

Beethoven

[yohankwon]

*facepalm* to both of you

it is harder than the first movement of waldestein

then...why don't you try and see for yourself? Yes they are both difficult, of course.

[michaeljames]

I have been playing this Sonata since someone in a different thread asked for comparisons between Op. 2, no. 3 and Op. 81a.  I was able to sight read all three movements of Op. 2, no.3 and I don't find it difficult at all.  But I've also been playing/studying the piano for 47 years (I am 52). 

[canada100]

This piano sonata was composed in 1796, and dedicated to Joseph Haydn, whom Beethoven had studied with and was highly influenced by in his youth.

Beethoven's early compositions have their difficulties, and I do not agree with they notion that they are easy. For example, his Second Piano Concerto is not easy at all, presenting many musical difficulties as well as the difficulty of playing it correctly in style.

Yes, this piano sonata is special, and is indeed a big work. Having studied this sonata myself, I can tell you this is a highly difficult work, with both technical and musical challenges. The first movement, Allegro con brio, is very challenging technically, and the double thirds in the main theme are notoriously difficult. This piece is well-respected and played in competitions. As you say, when we play Beethoven, we think in terms of orchestra. Many of his sonatas can be orchestrated, including this one. The broken octaves that end the Exposition in the first movement, as well as the end of the first movement, represent the orchestral strings doing tremolos.

The first movement is very energetic, vibrant, and bright. The second movement, in E Major, is much more singing, and in the style of a string quartet. This is the gem of the piece, and is perhaps one of Beethoven's most beautiful slow movements ever written. Like the second movement in the Op. 10 No. 3, there is use of Romanticism in this movement. One of my former teachers told me "People will not think they are hearing Beethoven, they will think they are hearing Brahms when they listen to this movement". Perhaps, this can be proven by the emotional drama in the middle section of this slow movement, during the stormy moments. Even in his earliest compositions, Beethoven had hints of Romanticism already. My current teacher says that his early compositions combine the elements of Romanticism and Classicism together. The Second Piano Concerto in B-flat Major Op. 19 has moments of Romanticism and Classicism.

The third movement is humorous, bouncy, and bubbly. This movement presents many technical challenges in both the Minuet and the Trio. The Minuet section contains many jumps, and to avoid missing, DO NOT RUSH! The Trio has very fast and light arpeggios that require a light touch and almost no pedal.

The last movement has to be extremely light and fun, and Mozartean. To play lightly, be sure to voice the tops in the 6ths in the main theme. This movement is filled with the fun and magic of the Classical period. There are thirds trills at the end of the movement. This movement is extremely difficult, but it will be worth it all.

When studying this piece, SMILE! Smile at your audience! Smile at the jury! Smile on the day of your Carnegie debut in front of 2,000.

[yohankwon]

As you say, when we play Beethoven, we think in terms of orchestra. Many of his sonatas can be orchestrated, including this one. The broken octaves that end the Exposition in the first movement, as well as the end of the first movement, represent the orchestral strings doing tremolos.
 

OMG I was thinking the exact same thing (especially the broken octaves), as I also play violin and have played in several orchestras.