My second piano concerto is subtitled “Ode to Beethoven”, which is an indication of my appreciation of the music of Ludwig van Beethoven, only rivalled by my mega liking for the works of Mozart, Chopin, Bach, Liszt, Schubert, and Handel. I have studied four of Beethoven’s piano concertos (1,3-5), and about 20 of the piano sonatas. In this section, I will be presenting my performances of some sonatas, but also some easier pieces that are favourites with relative beginners and amateurs but avoided by more advanced players and professionals, perhaps for fear of sounding like beginners. My opinion is that advanced players should be able to “educate” relative beginners with their performances of the simpler pieces by demonstrating effortless mastery of piano playing and advanced unaffected musicianship. The bigger sonatas should include the Pathetique, Moonlight, Tempest? (which I played at school for my professional piano performance diploma but not played since), Waldstein, and Appassionata.
Beethoven Sonata Op.2 No.1 in F minor
Beethoven Sonata Op.7 in Eb major
Beethoven Sonata Op.13 in C minor “Pathetique”
Beethoven Sonata Op.14 No.1 in E major
Beethoven Sonata Op.14 No.2 in G major
Beethoven Sonata Op.27 No.2 in C# minor “Moonlight”
Beethoven Sonata Op.32 No.1 in D minor “Tempest”
Beethoven Sonata Op.49 No.1 in G minor
Beethoven Sonata Op.49 No.2 in G major
Beethoven Sonata Op.53 C major
Beethoven Sonata Op.57 in F minor
Beethoven Sonata Op.78 in F# major
Beethoven Sonata Op.79 G major
Beethoven Sonata Op.90 in Eminor
