Dutkanicz - A First Book of Beethoven

This charming Romance was originally written for violin and piano. Be careful of the sharps and flats, and dont rush. The tempo is marked Andante, which means at a walking pace.

All together, Beethoven wrote 32 sonatas for piano. This stately theme is from the opening of the second movement of the fourteenth sonata. Play it gracefully, and be sure to give the notes with sharps an extra push.

The Eighth Symphony is considered to be one of Beethovens lighter and happier works. It was first performed in 1814, and recalls the classical flavors of earlier music. The famous French composer Hector Berlioz said that this melody fell straight from heaven.

A pastoral is a musical work meant to invoke the peace and calmness of the countryside. Taken from Beethovens nature-themed Symphony No. 6, the simple melody mimics a shepherds horn, calling his flock home at sunset.

This famous melody is the theme of the last movement of Beethovens Symphony No. 9. For this special symphony, Beethoven included a huge chorus to sing along with the orchestra. The words are taken from a poem by Friedrich Schiller: Joy, we are under your divine spell. All men become brothers wherever joy is found

This delightful court dance is one of Beethovens most famous. Despite his reputation as a very serious composer, he was fond of writing short dance music. A minuet is written in triple meter and accented on the first beat, much like a waltz.

A sad melody taken from one of Beethovens lesser known works, Sonatine , it climbs high up the piano. Be sure to play it smoothly, and follow the dynamics closely so that you can create a contrast between the different sections.

A sonatina is a shorter version of a sonata , and usually has two brief movements as opposed to three longer ones. This endearing work was composed around 1785, when Beethoven was a teenager. And ever since then, its been a favorite amongst pianists.

This romanza is the second movement of the Sonatina in G found on the previous page. As with all romanzas , it should be played gently and tenderly, and not too fast. An allegretto is played slightly slower than allegro .

Bagatelle in Italian means a trifle. Composers would use this label on shorter compositions they felt were more for personal amusement and entertainment. Remember, there were no stereo systems during the time of Beethoven and music had to be played on a keyboard in the home to be heard.

Symphony No. 3 is nicknamed the Eroica. It was written to honor heroes and was originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte. Play the melody in a crisp manner, as if it were a military march.

This adagio is taken from Beethovens Sonata No. 5 for piano. Notice the crescendo ( cresc. ) on the third line. Be sure to gradually get louder as the melody goes up until you reach a mezzo forte (mf) at the top.

Another of Beethovens bagatelles , this piece includes wide leaps in the melody. Theres no need to fret or overextend your hand. Prepare for the leaps by having the next finger ready and lifting your wrist as you move your arm over to play the note.

This theme is taken from the opening of the second movement of Beethovens Sonata No. 19 for piano. The melody is a bit wavy; shape the phrases and follow their ups and downs.