Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas are considered one of the greatest bodies of music ever composed, each a unique emotional universe.
Compositional Technique
Beethoven's 'Les Adieux' Sonata (No. 26) is programmatic, featuring a three-note motif marked 'Le-be-wohl' to mimic a horn call of parting.
Composer Biography
The 'Les Adieux' Sonata (No. 26) was dedicated to Archduke Rudolph, who was both its dedicatee and inspiration.
Compositional Technique
Beethoven was attracted to opposition and dichotomy, with tender and furious elements coexisting closely in his music.
Performer Biography
Pianist Jonathan Biss is recording the complete cycle of Beethoven's piano sonatas in a nine-year, nine-album project that began in 2011.
Notable Performances
The funeral march from Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 12, Op. 26, was played at Beethoven's own funeral, not the 'Eroica' Symphony.
Performer Biography
Jonathan Biss launched 'Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas', an online learning course on Coursera that has reached over 150,000 subscribers worldwide.
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