The music playing in the video above is from the second movement of my Piano Concerto No.1 “Ode to Mozart”. You can hear the three movements of the concerto, as well as my other piano concertos in the “Piano Concertos and Chamber Music” page of this website in the “Own Works” section, under the Music menu tab.

Beethoven

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.

First, though, how about a gentle quiz about Ludwig van Beethoven’s piano solo pieces! Then, look below the quiz for more content that I think will impress you. Bear in mind also that I am constantly working to bring you better and better content because, as the saying goes “premium content is king”, certainly for great subscribers like yourselves.

Beethoven's Piano Solo Pieces

Quiz questions to test your knowledge of some of Beethoven's piano solo pieces

 

1 / 12

Beethoven’s "Diabelli Variations" are part of his piano sonatas.

2 / 12

The "Pathétique" Sonata (No. 8) is in which key?

3 / 12

The "Hammerklavier" Sonata includes a fugue in its final movement.

4 / 12

Which movement of the "Moonlight Sonata" is the famous Adagio sostenuto?

5 / 12

Beethoven’s "Für Elise" is formally classified as a:

6 / 12

Which of the following is Beethoven’s most famous piano sonata, nicknamed "Moonlight"?

7 / 12

The "Moonlight Sonata" got its nickname during Beethoven’s lifetime.

8 / 12

Which sonata’s finale includes a fugue, showcasing Beethoven’s contrapuntal mastery?

9 / 12

Match the Sonata to its Key:

21. Sonata No. 8 "Pathétique"
23. Sonata No. 23 "Appassionata"
24. Sonata No. 14 "Moonlight"
25. Sonata No. 29 "Hammerklavier"
22. Sonata No. 21 "Waldstein"

10 / 12

Beethoven dedicated his Sonata No. 30 to Archduke Rudolph of Austria.

11 / 12

The "Waldstein" Sonata originally had a longer second movement, which Beethoven later removed.

12 / 12

Beethoven’s last piano sonata is No. 32 in C minor.

Your score is

The average score is 94%

Below are the flipbook scores of  Beethoven’s Op.49 No.1 and No.2 sonatas, with book cover collage designed by me. You can switch off the flip sound at each page turn.

Below the flipbooks are the same two sonatas in performance score study videos. In these videos you can read the score (with a simpler book cover design also by me from stock image) whilst listening to my playing of the sonatas. What I think is ground breaking is that, as you read the score and listen to the music, you can also see a video of me playing the piece, not clearly enough to disturb your score reading, but visible enough for you to see my fingers perfectly synchronised with the music, just as in all my performance videos. I should add here that listening to the music while following the score is good practice for improving your score reading and sight-playing, as I shall be discussing further in the “Tips and Tutorials” section of this website. 

With both the flipbooks and the videos you can read the music scores full screen and flip or scroll forwards and backwards as you like. I think these are good ways to enjoy score reading. Let me know if you agree, what you like about these publications, and how you think they can be improved.

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