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The Piano Sonata: Beethoven and the Romantics

The Piano Sonata: Beethoven and the Romantics

This course is part of Exploring Piano Literature: The Piano Sonata Specialization

Instructor: Matthew Bengtson

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Learn how the piano sonata was taken to new heights by Beethoven.
Explore the "War of the Romantics."
Understand the differences between Viennese and English/French traditions of piano music.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

91%

of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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This course is part of the Exploring Piano Literature: The Piano Sonata Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

In this course, learners will review sonata form and learn how the piano sonata was taken to new heights by Ludwig van Beethoven. We’ll discover together how the generation that followed interpreted Beethoven’s achievements and put them into practice in their own unique ways. From there, we will explore the “War of the Romantics”: the variety of formal structures for Romantic sonatas (both traditional and progressive) and the major repertoire of this era. You’ll hear some of the important pianos of the time, and understand the differences between Viennese and English/French traditions of piano music.

Module details

In the first week, you'll be introduced to the course structure and to the fundamentals surrounding sonata form and the history of the genre.

What's included

5 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 29 minutes

Course Introduction: Setting the Stage4 minutes
Sonata Characteristics & Composers7 minutes
Sonata Form: Principles, Origins, Processes, & Theorists6 minutes
Sonata Form Overview8 minutes
Movement Architecture4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 17 minutes

Course Syllabus10 minutes
Help Us Learn More About You5 minutes
Putting Sonatas Together2 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Sonata Form & Movement Architecture30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Introduce Yourself10 minutes

This week focuses solely on Ludwig van Beethoven. We will discuss matters of sonata theory, the developing piano, and the way that the piano sonata genre was transformed through his innovations. We will consider his sonata repertoire across three major periods.

What's included

10 videos5 readings3 assignments2 discussion prompts

10 videosTotal 96 minutes

Beethoven's 32 Sonatas: Social Context and Musical Influences8 minutes
Later Viennese Piano3 minutes
Sonata op. 2 no. 1 in F minor9 minutes
Early Fermatas in Beethoven1 minute
Sonata op. 13 in C minor "Pathetique"15 minutes
Sonata op. 31 no. 2 in D minor "Tempest"20 minutes
5.5 Octave Piano2 minutes
Sonata op. 53 in C major "Waldstein"14 minutes
Graf Piano6 minutes
Sonata op. 110 in A-flat major18 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Beethoven: Theoretical Matters10 minutes
Early Period (1795-1800)10 minutes
Transitional Period (1800-1802)10 minutes
Middle Period (1803-1810)10 minutes
Late Period (1814 and Beyond)10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Beethoven: Theoretical and Social Context and Early Sonatas30 minutes
Transitional and Middle Periods30 minutes
Beethoven Sonatas: Late Period and Wrap-Up30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Beethoven & Stereotypes10 minutes
Reasons for Repeating Musical Ideas10 minutes

This week focuses on Romantic composers following Beethoven. First we consider the German tradition - Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Brahms - and then the great pianist-virtuosi Chopin and Liszt. Throughout the week we will consider both traditional and innovative approaches to constructing Romantic piano sonatas.