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Great Piano Works Explained
13 hrs. 14 min.
The glorious repertoire for solo piano includes many of classical music’s most beloved masterpieces. In these 24 musically rich lectures, you’ll dig deeply into this magnificent tradition, in an in-depth exploration of the art of listening. With Professor Kautsky’s inspired guidance and expert playing, you’ll highlight key works of each composer, and unpack their structure, the musical materials that drive them, and the specific features that affect listeners so strongly, giving you a clear grounding in how to approach and hear this great music.
Within a rich spectrum of piano masterpieces, you’ll explore:
· Mozart’s Sonata in C Minor, K. 457—Hear the influence of opera in this tempestuous sonata, where Mozart transports the listener from joy to sorrow and back again in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of emotions.
· Beethoven’s Sonata Opus 110—In this monumental musical journey, study the majestic first movement, the dramatic Allegro molto, and the Arioso and great fugue that ends the sonata in triumphant affirmation.
· Schumann’s Kreisleriana, Papillons, and Carnaval—Delight in Schumann’s resplendent piano “cycles,” anthology-like works revealing multiple musical “characters” and sonic landscapes.
· Chopin’s Ballade in F Minor—Grasp how Chopin delivers a seemingly epic musical narrative within 12 minutes, moving from lyric tenderness to a passionate, thunderous denouement.
· Debussy’s Claire de Lune and Preludes—Grasp the compositional means behind the beloved, ethereal Claire de Lune, and taste the exoticism, humor, and flights of fancy of Debussy’s incandescent Preludes.
· Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata—Hear how this American innovator incorporates unconventional harmonies, dense textures, and multiple musical quotations in a massive, sprawling artistic statement.
In Great Piano Works Explained, you’ll study masterpieces from a wide selection of the great composers, deepening your skill in hearing and appreciating these timeless creations of the human spirit.
The glorious repertoire for solo piano includes many of classical music’s most beloved masterpieces. In these 24 musically rich lectures, you’ll dig deeply into this magnificent tradition, in an in-depth exploration of the art of listening. With Professor Kautsky’s inspired guidance and expert playing, you’ll highlight key works of each composer, and unpack their structure, the musical materials that drive them, and the specific features that affect listeners so strongly, giving you a clear grounding in how to approach and hear this great music.
Within a rich spectrum of piano masterpieces, you’ll explore:
· Mozart’s Sonata in C Minor, K. 457—Hear the influence of opera in this tempestuous sonata, where Mozart transports the listener from joy to sorrow and back again in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of emotions.
· Beethoven’s Sonata Opus 110—In this monumental musical journey, study the majestic first movement, the dramatic Allegro molto, and the Arioso and great fugue that ends the sonata in triumphant affirmation.
· Schumann’s Kreisleriana, Papillons, and Carnaval—Delight in Schumann’s resplendent piano “cycles,” anthology-like works revealing multiple musical “characters” and sonic landscapes.
· Chopin’s Ballade in F Minor—Grasp how Chopin delivers a seemingly epic musical narrative within 12 minutes, moving from lyric tenderness to a passionate, thunderous denouement.
· Debussy’s Claire de Lune and Preludes—Grasp the compositional means behind the beloved, ethereal Claire de Lune, and taste the exoticism, humor, and flights of fancy of Debussy’s incandescent Preludes.
· Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata—Hear how this American innovator incorporates unconventional harmonies, dense textures, and multiple musical quotations in a massive, sprawling artistic statement.
In Great Piano Works Explained, you’ll study masterpieces from a wide selection of the great composers, deepening your skill in hearing and appreciating these timeless creations of the human spirit.
- GenresMusic
14 pages, Audible Audio
Published October 7, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 27, 2025
Rating: 3.5 stars
Kautsky is certainly enthusiastic about her subject. This collection of 24 lectures examines the piano repertoire, from Bach to Charles Ives, in terms of structure, musical elements, and other features. The lectures aim to provide an introduction on how to approach and listen to these pieces, what makes them enjoyable and/or revolutionary. Interesting and fun.
Kautsky is certainly enthusiastic about her subject. This collection of 24 lectures examines the piano repertoire, from Bach to Charles Ives, in terms of structure, musical elements, and other features. The lectures aim to provide an introduction on how to approach and listen to these pieces, what makes them enjoyable and/or revolutionary. Interesting and fun.
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January 11, 2024An excellent review of highlights from the classical piano music repertoire from Bach forward.
Kautsky lingers over favorites (Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy) to the detriment of some other titans. For example, the Russians must share a chapter. But if you're not going to be exhaustive, then you must be selective. And no one actually wants exhaustion.
What Kautsky discusses, she illuminates. She explains what makes a composition enjoyable, revolutionary, or connected to earlier compositions. She also leaves a pleasant amount of time to PLAY the music being discussed.
One note for those who enjoy Robert Greenberg's Great Courses on classical music. Kautsky makes less time for her composers' biographies and more time for literary and artistic associations. Whether you prefer that is a matter of subjective taste.
Kautsky lingers over favorites (Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy) to the detriment of some other titans. For example, the Russians must share a chapter. But if you're not going to be exhaustive, then you must be selective. And no one actually wants exhaustion.
What Kautsky discusses, she illuminates. She explains what makes a composition enjoyable, revolutionary, or connected to earlier compositions. She also leaves a pleasant amount of time to PLAY the music being discussed.
One note for those who enjoy Robert Greenberg's Great Courses on classical music. Kautsky makes less time for her composers' biographies and more time for literary and artistic associations. Whether you prefer that is a matter of subjective taste.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews