Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas : a handbook for performers / Stewart Gordon.
| Author/creator |
Gordon, Stewart, 1930- author. |
| Format | Book and Print |
| Publication Info | New York : Oxford University Press, [2017] |
| Copyright Notice | ©2017 |
| Description | xi, 273 pages : music ; 24 cm |
| Subject(s) |
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| Variant title | Beethoven's thirty-two piano sonatas |
| Contents | Part I. Considerations. Sources -- Beethoven and the piano -- Performance practices -- Beethoven's expressive legacy -- The windmills of Beethoven's mind -- Part II. The sonatas. The opus 2 set -- Opus 7 -- The opus 10 set -- Opus 13 ("Pathetique") -- The opus 14 set -- Opus 22 -- Opus 26 -- The opus 27 set: sonatas like a fantasy; no. 2 ("Moonlight") -- Opus 28 ("Pastoral") -- The opus 31 set no. 2 ("Tempest"); no. 3 ("Hunt") -- The opus 49 set: two "easy" sonatas -- Opus 53 ("Waldstein") -- Opus 54 -- Opus 57 ("Appassionata") -- Opus 78 -- Opus 79 ("alla tedesca") -- Opus 81a ("Lebewohl") -- Opus 90 -- Opus 101 -- Opus 106 ("Hammerklavier") -- Opus 109 -- Opus 110 -- Opus 111. |
| Abstract | The thirty-two Piano Sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven form one of the most important segments of piano literature. In this accessible, compact, and comprehensive guidebook, the author presents the pianist with historical insights and practical instructional tools for interpreting the pieces. In the opening chapters of this book, Gordon illuminates the essential historical context behind common performance problems, discussing Beethoven's own pianos and how they relate to compositional style and demands in the pieces, and addressing textual issues, performance practices, and nuances of the composer's manuscript inscriptions. In outlining patterns of structure, sonority, keyboard technique, and emotional meaning evident across Beethoven's compositional development, Gordon provides important background and technical information key to understanding his works in context. Part II of the book presents each sonata in an outline-chart format, giving the student and teacher ready access to essential information, interpretive choices, and technical challenges in the individual works, measure by measure, all in one handy reference source. In consideration of the broad diversity of today's Beethoven interpreters, Gordon avoids one-size-fits-all solutions or giving undue weight to his own tastes and preferences. Instead, he puts the choices in the hands of the performers, enabling them to create their own personal relationship with the music and a more powerful performance. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 267-268) and index. |
| LCCN | 2016014659 |
| ISBN | 9780190629175 (hardcover ; alkaline paper) |
| ISBN | 0190629177 (hardcover ; alkaline paper) |
| ISBN | 9780190629182 (paperback ; alkaline paper) |
| ISBN | 0190629185 (paperback ; alkaline paper) |
Available Items
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions | |
| Music | Music Stacks | ML410.B42 G67 2017 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |