1. Beethoven and the Piano
Harpsichord and Clavichord --forerunners of the piano
The fortepiano
Beethoven’s playing
A look at several early works for piano

2. Beethoven as a Pianist
Carl Czerny: “He was the greatest sight-reader of his day, even of orchestral scores.”
Early in his career (1791): “Because he had not yet heard any great or celebrated pianists, Beethoven knew nothing of the finer nuances of handling the instrument; his playing was rough and hard” (Wegeler)
On improvisation: “His style of treating his instrument is so different from that usually adopted, that it impresses one with the idea that by a path of his own discovery he has attained that height of excellence whereon he now stands” (Junker)

3. “Ah, he is no man, he is a devil
“Ah, he is no man, he is a devil. He will play me and all of us to death. And how he improvises!” (Gelinek, in comparing Beethoven’s playing to his own) But Beethoven’s playing was also described as “rough” (Cherubini, 1805) and “not polished, and frequently impetuous, like himself, yet always full of spirit” (Clementi, 1807) But Beethoven, on Mozart’s playing: “He had a fine but choppy way of playing. no ligato.”

4. Some terms…
Sonata—a work for solo piano, or solo instrument with piano accompaniment
Movement—a self-contained section of a larger work (e.g., sonata or symphony). Sonatas usually have three movements—Fast Slow Fast
Sonata form
Rondo form—Musical form with a refrain. E.g., ABACABA

5. Sonata in C Minor, Op. 13. (1797-1801) dedicated to Prince Lichnowsky
Sonata in C Minor, Op ( ) dedicated to Prince Lichnowsky Grave—Allegro di molto e con brio Adagio cantabile Rondo: Allegro

6. Sonata in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27. No
Sonata in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 (1801) dedicated to Countess Guilietta Guicciardi Adagio Sostenuto Allegretto Presto agitato