Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 from Coursera

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Class

WELCOME TO CLASS! We are thrilled that you have joined us for Part 5 of Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas course, taught by Jonathan Biss, Chair of Piano Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music. Jonathan is recognized as a world-renown concert artist and musical thinker. This course is Part 5 of the existing series called Exploring Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas. As with all sections of this course, Part 5 contains new and separate sets of lectures. Specifically, we will dive into Beethoven's Piano Sonata Op. 27, No. 1; Sonata Op. 31, No. 1; Hammerklavier, Op. 106, to which there are two dedicated lectures for this monumental work. It is important to remind you that it is not necessary to have taken the previous Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas courses, in order to enroll in this one. We think you will be perfectly comfortable to start learning with Part 5 if you wish and continue backwards. Between these courses, there exists a large amount of additional resources and learning that might be helpful as you embark on Part 5. And of course, we strongly encourage you to take Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, if you have not yet. In the meantime, have a terrific time taking this class and Part 5 of Exploring Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas.

Op. 27, No. 1

Op. 31, No. 1

Op. 106: Hammerklavier (Part 1)

Op. 106: Hammerklavier (Part 2)

Your Thoughts Welcome

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a detailed examination of Beethoven's Piano Sonata Op. 106, known as the Hammerklavier, which is widely regarded as one of the most challenging and complex piano sonatas ever written

Taught by Jonathan Biss, Chair of Piano Studies at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, who is recognized as a world-renowned concert artist and renowned for his expertise in piano performance and pedagogy

Suitable for intermediate piano players with a good understanding of music theory and piano techniques, as it delves into advanced topics and assumes prior knowledge

Provides materials that can be part of a comprehensive study of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas, especially helpful for music students and enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of the composer's work

Focuses on in-depth analysis and interpretation of a select few sonatas rather than providing a comprehensive overview of all 32 sonatas

Primarily delivered through video lectures, which may not be the preferred learning format for all students

Reviews summary

In-depth dive into beethoven's piano sonatas

Learners say this is an exceptional course that provides in-depth insights into Beethoven's piano sonatas. Instructor Jonathan Biss's passion and expertise shine through as he guides learners through the structure, themes, and complexities of these masterpieces. Students describe the course as highly motivating, engaging, and comprehensive, praising Biss's ability to make the challenging material accessible and enjoyable.

The course is well-structured and easy to follow.

"Another well done course by Mr. Biss! There's always more to learn about Beethoven and his music, and 5 courses in, I know so much about Beethoven and still crave for more."

Jonathan Biss is a highly engaging instructor.

"Professor full of passion and talent, bring me new angles in exploring Beethoven sonatas"

"This is an excellent course and Jonathan Biss is a superb instructor!"

"Once again, Mr. Biss takes on Beethoven Sonatas covering a breadth of periods and expressions, and gives them deeper meaning through highlighting general and specific aspects of the music itself."

The quizzes are challenging but fair.

"Excellent and consistent with and perhaps even exceeding the excellent quality of the previous courses. Part 5, by far, is the most technically challenging of the courses (with respect to passing the quizzes)."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 with these activities:

Read 'Beethoven: A Life' by Jan Swafford

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Gain a deeper understanding of Beethoven's life and work through this acclaimed biography.

View Mozart: The Reign of Love on Amazon

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Acquire the book from a library or bookstore.
Read the book at a comfortable pace, taking notes on key events and themes related to Beethoven's life and music.
Reflect on the book's insights and how they relate to the course content.

Read 'The Beethoven Sonatas' by Charles Rosen

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Gain insights from a renowned music scholar and pianist's analysis of Beethoven's sonatas.

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Acquire the book from a library or bookstore.
Read the book at a comfortable pace, taking notes on Rosen's interpretations and analytical insights.
Reflect on how Rosen's perspectives enhance your understanding of the sonatas.

Attend a piano recital or concert featuring Beethoven's sonatas

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Experience live performances of the sonatas to enrich your understanding and appreciation of the music.

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Research upcoming piano recitals or concerts in your area.
Purchase tickets and attend the performance.
Observe the performance and take notes on the interpretation, technique, and audience response.

Five other activities

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Take online tutorials on Beethoven's piano sonatas

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Enhance your understanding of the sonatas covered in the course through guided tutorials.

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Identify suitable online tutorials for each sonata.
Watch and actively engage with the tutorials.
Take notes on key techniques, interpretations, and historical context.

Organize a peer study group to discuss the sonatas

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Collaborate with peers to share insights, perspectives, and support in understanding the sonatas.

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Gather a group of classmates or fellow musicians who are interested in the course material.
Choose a regular meeting time and location.
Select a sonata or specific topic for each meeting and prepare discussion points.

Play through selected passages from the sonatas

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Develop your playing skills and deepen your understanding of the sonatas through focused practice.

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Select specific passages from the sonatas that present technical challenges or musical interest.
Practice the passages repeatedly, focusing on accuracy, rhythm, and interpretation.
Record yourself playing the passages and listen for areas of improvement.

Write a blog post or article on a topic related to Beethoven's piano sonatas

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Reinforce your learning by creating original content that explores the sonatas in more depth.

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Choose a topic related to the sonatas, such as a specific technique, historical context, or personal interpretation.
Research and gather information from reliable sources.
Write a well-organized and informative post or article, expressing your insights and analysis.

Contribute to a Beethoven-related open-source project

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Apply your skills and knowledge to support the preservation and dissemination of Beethoven's work.

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Identify an open-source project related to Beethoven's music or legacy.
Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Collaborate with project maintainers and make meaningful contributions, such as bug fixes, code improvements, or content additions.

Career center

Learners who complete Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Music Professor

A Music Professor teaches music within an academic environment. This may be through instruction, lectures, studios, classes, or other tutorial situations. You can help your students prepare for careers as musicians. Courses like Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 can help build a foundation for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Professor

Music Teacher

A Music Teacher instructs within a K-12 setting. You might teach in a public or private school, both of which carry opportunities for fulfillment. In this role, courses like Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 can help expand your understanding of musical theory and composition, which can aid in your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Classical Pianist

A Classical Pianist performs piano for classical music. You may showcase your talents in concert halls, during private engagements, or for your own enjoyment. Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 can provide insights and techniques to strengthen your creative abilities on the piano.

See salaries and explore the career path for Classical Pianist

Music Critic

A Music Critic writes about music performances and pieces within various forms of media. These can include newspapers, magazines, or through online forums. A course like Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 can help build a foundation in musical composition and theory that will support your work.

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Music Director

A Music Director oversees musical activities for a group, team, or organization. You may lead bands, orchestras, or choirs. Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 may be useful for this role because it can provide background on famous composers and their techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director

Audio Engineer

An Audio Engineer helps record live and studio musical performances. You may also edit and mix sound tracks. Courses like Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 may help in this career by providing background on famous musical compositions.

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Musician

A Musician performs music. You may play in a band, orchestra, or sing within a choir. Opportunities for musicians are vast and include live performances, studio recordings, and teaching. Courses like Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 can introduce you to influential composers and techniques in the field.

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Composer

A Composer creates music. You will often specialize in a particular genre, style, or type of music. Courses like Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 can provide insight into various techniques and styles to enhance your abilities.

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Music Producer

A Music Producer oversees the creation of music. This may involve working with artists, songwriters, and sound engineers. Courses such as Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 can help give background on famous compositions and the techniques used within them.

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Music Therapist

A Music Therapist uses music as part of treatment to improve a client's emotional and physical health. Access to courses like Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 can help build a foundation in music concepts, theory, and composition that will support you in your treatments.

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Music Arranger

A Music Arranger adapts music from one format to another. This includes changing instrumentation, style, and genre. Courses such as Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 may provide knowledge of music structure, harmony, and theory which can enhance your arrangements.

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Music Journalist

A Music Journalist covers news and current events within the music industry. This may include writing for magazines, newspapers, or online forums. A course like Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 can help build a foundation in music theory and composition that supports your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

Music Editor

A Music Editor reviews and edits music for accuracy and clarity. You may work in a variety of print or digital formats. Courses like Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 may be of interest as they provide opportunities to review compositions and enhance your understanding of musical structure and theory.

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Music Librarian

A Music Librarian organizes and maintains materials in a library. You will have a background in music and library science. Courses such as Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 may provide more in-depth understanding of musical compositions and their history.

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Music Historian

A Music Historian researches and writes about the history of music. You will typically specialize in a particular era, style, or genre. Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 5 may be useful for this career because it can build a foundation of knowledge about famous composers and techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Historian