Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

by Robert Greenberg

A revolutionary man living in a revolutionary time, Beethoven used the piano as his personal musical laboratory. The piano sonata became, more than any other genre of music, a place where he could experiment with harmony, motivic development, the contextual use of form, and, most important, his developing view of music as a self-expressive art. Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas include some of his most popular works as well as some of his most experimental. More than any other of his amazing works, Beethoven's piano sonatas are his personal testament, expressed in his own voice. These 24 marvelous lectures touch on every one of these fascinating pieces, approaching them chronologically, from the terse and powerful first sonata of 1795 to the revolutionary Hammerklavier Sonata of 1818 and the radical last three sonatas of 1820-1822. The sonatas are not simply compositions for the piano but are about the developing technology of the piano itself, an evolving instrument that Beethoven pushed to its limits and then beyond, ultimately writing music for an idealized piano that didn't come into existence until 40 years after his death. Because Beethoven died 50 years before the invention of sound recording, we will never hear his voice or the sound of his playing. Instead, Professor Greenberg plays you hundreds of excerpts of Maestro Claude Frank's recordings over the span of the course. Truly, Beethoven's piano music is his voice, emerging from his mind through his fingers to our ears and hearts.

Running time: 18.40 hours

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Audiobook, History, Biography

24 pages, Audiobook

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Robert M. Greenberg is an American composer, pianist and musicologist. He has composed more than 50 works for a variety of instruments and voices, and has recorded a number of lecture series on music history and music appreciation for The Teaching Company.

Greenberg earned a B.A. in music, magna cum laude, from Princeton University and received a Ph.D. in music composition from the University of California, Berkeley. He has served on the faculties of UC Berkeley, Californiz State University, East Bay, and the San Franciso Conservatory of Music, where he was chairman of the Department of Music History and Literature as well as Director of the Adult Extension Division. Dr. Greenberg is currently Music Historian-in-residence with San Francisco Performances.

Reviews

[Elentarri]

Greenberg is certainly enthusiastic about his subject! These are lectures that broadly analyse Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas. The lectures also place Beethoven in context with his times in terms of society and musical development, as well as within context of the development of the piano. What I found interesting was that Beethoven composed piano music for an instrument that he could only envision and that didn't exist yet.

The blurb says it all:
"Beethoven used the piano as his personal musical laboratory. The piano sonata became, more than any other genre of music, a place where he could experiment with harmony, motivic development, the contextual use of form, and, most important, his developing view of music as a self-expressive art. Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas include some of his most popular works as well as some of his most experimental. More than any other of his amazing works, Beethoven's piano sonatas are his personal testament, expressed in his own voice. These 24 marvelous lectures touch on every one of these fascinating pieces, approaching them chronologically, from the terse and powerful first sonata of 1795 to the revolutionary Hammerklavier Sonata of 1818 and the radical last three sonatas of 1820-1822. The sonatas are not simply compositions for the piano but are about the developing technology of the piano itself, an evolving instrument that Beethoven pushed to its limits and then beyond, ultimately writing music for an idealized piano that didn't come into existence until 40 years after his death. [...] Beethoven's piano music is his voice, emerging from his mind through his fingers to our ears and hearts."

Addendum: I would recommend being familiar with the sonatas or at least listening to the relevant sonata before and/or after each lecture. Knowledge of a bit of music theory wouldn't hurt either.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIghly entertaining accounts of Beethoven's life accompany Greenberg's enlightening analyses of the sonatas, along with a few piquant opinions and a couple of ridiculous outbursts. You can't listen to this series of lectures and not come away with an appreciation of Beethoven's art -- you may not love every movement of every sonata, but these lectures make us understand why every one is important in one way or another. Greenberg covers all 32 sonatas, placing each one in its context chronologically and in the development of Beethoven's work as a whole. Some movements are taken apart in minute detail so we can see how they were designed to function -- others are passed over more briefly, but only for lack of time. This could have been a 48 lecture series, but Greenberg chooses the course material wisely enough that 24 lectures seems just right. The overall effect is wondrous and illuminating. Well worth the time and effort if the music of Beethoven has ever set your spine atingle.

[Yaaresse · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I'm completely honest, I'd go with a 3.5 or 3.75 on this Great Course simply because Dr. Greenberg has set such a high bar with the ones I've seen previously, and this one didn't quite match that bar.

His presentation is always brilliant and engaging, but in this set of lectures, it felt a bit too forced with the ranty parts played for laughs a shade too much. Also? Nearly 24 hours on just Beethoven sonatas felt like a lot. it is a lot. Is it too much? I guess not since I've been combing iTunes for various versions of them.

Still love these GCs. I learn so much from this amazing teacher and musician. But, yeah, this one wasn't my favorite...which is a bit like saying "of all the ice cream flavors I like, chocolate isn't my favorite." Still wouldn't turn down a scoop.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much over my head!
I thoroughly enjoyed the pianist, Claude Frank, and Dr Greenberg's analyses...and wit.
I will need to revisit these lectures at a later date when I can listen to more piano sonatas, both by Beethoven and other masters. I was not particularly impressed with the 'Hammerklavier' like I think Greenberg expected.
Beethoven seems to have written these sonatas as a type of challenge to contemporary pianists and musicians. Maybe a sort of nerdy machismo he felt compelled to create and publish.
I learned much, but also realized that I have much to learn.
Recommended for the musically inclined.

[Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best lecturer ever. Very interesting man/story of course and well executed. I'm not a musician so some of the musical concepts were a bit over my head but Beethoven's life and the story behind his music was fascinating. I want more.

[Kevin Siepel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging tour of some of Beethoven's greatest works. Taught by a master.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth revisiting sections when I'm ready to pay more attention to any one sonata. But a great overview!

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Robert Greenberg’s 24 lecture course “Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas Parts 1, 2, & 3” was released in 2005 by The Teaching Company. The lectures are each 45 minutes long and they cover the composition of Beethoven’s 32 sonatas from 1795 to 1822. These sonatas are the foundation of Beethoven’s artistic expression, and the lectures feature in detail the qualities of his “musical grammar.” The lectures also feature Maestro Claude Frank’s recordings of the sonatas on a modern day 9 foot long seven and a third octave Steinway concert grand piano. Greenberg’s presentations provide insights into the compositional role Beethoven played in the grafting of today’s music. (p)

[Gebo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great lecture series. Tons of history, personal facts, and music theory to intrigue anyone interested in the topic. I really enjoyed the way that the lecturer broke down the melodies and songs piece-by-piece and really shows you what Beethoven is doing. Really added a lot of depth to listening to classical music.

[Leslie Camara · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are playing the sonatas, yes by all means listen to these lectures. I’ll admit they are a bit too much for the average listener. That being said, I’ve learned more about the classics from Robert Greenberg than I ever did from my college music professors. So sorry Robert Levin, Tony Newman and Yehudi Wyner!

[Tamminh · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, I enormously enjoyed listening to Professor Greenberg. I learned, not only to appreciate Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas, but also how to express myself more clearly and entertaining at the same time.

[Yuyin Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I decided that I would like to practice all 32 of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas. So far I have 3 to 5. When I listened to Professor Greenberg's lectures (usually I was driving or doing chores or exercising), I do feel the urge to sit in front of piano to play through all thses amazing pieces.
I'm in the process of listening second time. I think I'll still come back for 3rd time at least this year!

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the theoretical explanations and listening examples. It motivated me to greater exploration of this body of Beethoven's work. I've studied his symphonies and can see how the piano sonatas developed his symphonic output.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent audio book detailing the stories and the background for Beethoven's Sonatas. Greenberg is an excellent professor. high energy and very knowledgable. This is for the person who is really into music and wants got understand the details behind these sonata's.

[Becky L Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook/ lecture series with music synopses. 3 day power listen. Boom. I never want to file another paper again but TG I had this to listen to. Unfortunately now I want to drop everything and learn all the Beethoven sonatas. Alas I am unequal to the task at the moment. Give me a few years.

[Nina Braden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2005 a

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an ending!

[Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely splendid!

[Selene Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Everything Robert Greenberg teaches is worth listening to.

[Pete Busche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally have a closer understanding of the Hammerklavier and final sonatas. Bob Greenberg is simply the best at this, a pleasure listening to the best music with him

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't like the hammy showman style but he does a good job with these.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

5, tries to cover too many sonatas. Not enough of their history. Not enough long pieces of music.