Music Theory

Learning Beethoven: Best Songs to Play Right Now

Musicnotes

• 4 min read
Learning Beethoven: Best Songs to Play Right Now

Learning to play the piano is a rewarding project. There is so much repertoire you can learn, from The Beatles to Broadway to Bach. One composer you might enjoy learning to play is Ludwig van Beethoven. He was a prolific composer and wrote numerous pieces for pianists of all levels and abilities. Studying his pieces in order of difficulty will help you learn how to play classical music.

Who Was Beethoven?

It’s always helpful to know a little about composers before you play their music. The time and place in which composers lived tell you a lot about how to interpret their style.

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany, in December of 1770 to a musical family. He received his first professional appointment as an assistant court organist at the age of 12. This was followed in rapid succession with an appointment to play the continuo with the Bonn opera and a trip to Vienna to study composition with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Beethoven had to quickly return to Bonn due to the death of his mother. He continued to play the piano, teach music, compose, and even played the viola in the court orchestra. He was finally able to move to Vienna permanently at the age of 22. This time he studied with Franz Joseph Haydn and soon became one of the most important composers in all of Europe.

Why Is Beethoven Important?

Beethoven is known as the bridge composer. He was born during the Classical Period and was well-versed in the music of the composers of that time. His early works are highly influenced by the Classical style and are fine examples of all that the period embodies.

Beginning with his Third Symphony, however, Beethoven begins a musical journey that takes his music firmly into the Romantic Period. The ideals of this period encompassed all of the arts, not just music, and included such notions as personal expression and the importance of emotional content.

Beethoven is widely considered to be the composer who ushered music into the Romantic Period, influencing countless other composers to follow suit and experiment with new ideas. The music he composed in his later life is highly dramatic and an embodiment of Romantic ideals.

What Beethoven Piano Pieces Should I Learn First?

The good news for pianists is that Beethoven’s music is appropriate for all levels of playing. If you are just learning how to play Beethoven on piano, start with these charming pieces:

  1. “Ode to Joy” is perhaps Beethoven’s most famous work. It is an excerpt from the last movement of his Ninth Symphony. Originally sung by a choir accompanied by an orchestra, there are many excellent arrangements of this song for piano solo.
  2. “Minuet in G” was famously used in the popular musical The Music Man. It’s a fun piece with interesting rhythms for beginning pianists.
  3. “Prelude in F” is a calm, introspective work that presents some nice voicing challenges for young players.
  4. “Ecossaise in G” is an upbeat, lively piece that pleases players of all ages.

What Are Some Intermediate Works?

There is a lot of intermediate-level music from Beethoven. He was a prolific composer of the piano and enjoyed writing music that many of his pupils could play. Try any of these wonderful works:

  1. “Für Elise” may be the most popular piano piece ever composed. It’s perfect for recitals, concerts, and talent shows.
  2. “Sonata quasi una fantasia, first movement,” is more commonly known as the “Moonlight Sonata.” The last movement is fairly difficult and is appropriate for advanced pianists. The first movement, however, is perfect for intermediate players.
  3. “Sonatina in G Major” is an excellent choice for any pianist who has not yet played a Beethoven sonata. The sonatina is a smaller form and is a good introduction to the more difficult sonatas.
  4. “Sonata in F Minor” can be a student’s first large sonata. It has plenty of Sturm und Drang without overwhelming the hands.

What Can An Advanced Pianist Play?

Beethoven composed 32 piano sonatas, and every one of them is worth learning. Some of the later sonatas are quite difficult and challenge even the best pianists. Five piano concertos will also keep you busy practicing for a long time. For specific titles, here are some suggestions to get you started:

  1. “Sonata in C Minor, Pathétique” features an array of moods and some true virtuoso playing.
  2. The “Presto Agitato” movement from the “Moonlight Sonata” is a tour de force of rapid arpeggios. It makes a nice encore piece at a piano recital.
  3. “Piano Concerto No. 5,” also known as “The Emperor,” is a perennial favorite in concert halls around the world. Challenge yourself with its soaring melodies and rapid fingerwork.
  4. “Sonata No. 17 in D Minor” demands clean articulations and delicate passagework from pianists.

Is There Anything Else Interesting?

Beethoven isn’t known for just his piano pieces. He was also a great symphonist. One of the joys of learning to play Beethoven is sight-reading through some of the piano transcriptions of his larger orchestra works. It’s even more fun when these have been arranged for piano, four-hands. Take a look at these pieces:

  1. “Symphony No. 5 in C Minor” is justifiably considered to be one of the greatest classical works of all time. This is a fine arrangement for easy piano.
  2. This transcription of the complete first movement of the Fifth Symphony is for very advanced pianists.
  3. The “Allegretto” from the Seventh Symphony is a great choice for young pianists.
  4. “Sonata in D Major for Piano, Four Hands,” gives intermediate pianists experience in ensemble playing.

Is Beethoven the Greatest Composer of All Time?

It truly is impossible to pick one greatest composer. Every composer who shares music with the world brings something of value to society. Beethoven did occupy a special place in music history, bridging the gap between the Classical and Romantic Periods. This does make him important.

He is certainly one of the great composers of classical piano music. All pianists, young or old, beginner or advanced, can learn to play his works and find great personal enjoyment in doing so. Find your new piece above and start practicing.