The Waldstein sonata

I really want to tackle this thing, i had no problems with rondo allegro from the pathetique sonata, but people tell me that this one is in a totally different league.

So, anyone tried it? What's your experience with it?

I haven't even seen the score to the Waldstein I'm afraid. I am in the midst of relearning the Pathetique though after many years absence fomr the paino, and am finding it easier than I recall The Waldstein doesn't sound too hard in the reocrdings I have of it, but that doesn't mean anything. ;-)

Letehn,

Don't mean to brag. But I'm the 17 year old Beethoven - Schubert Expert. I myself had learnt the piece earlier this year. Now the 1st 2 movements from this sonata are as easy as the ones from Pathetique but indeed the last movement is "crazy" - It took many sleepless nights to figure out. The key to overcoming this problem of overwhelming diffculty however cannot be found overnight. The movement may be marked Allegretto but Can I say this as nicely as possible - Pathetique is hard, but leave Waldstein to the big boys. Can I suggest 2 things ..Learning The last Movement of Beethoven's Les Adieux Sonata before you try the last movement of Waldstein ...... If you can't handle playing constant trills and a melody in one single hand ..... Waldstein might have to wait.

So try the following Piece: Last Movement Of Op.81a " Les Adieux" and see if the trill + melody gives you and trouble.

I almost gave up learning the Waldstein earlier this year - but here's the thing I had the dover edition of the sonatas and this is the best possible playing edition of the work you can get - thanks to the editor - so he fully explains without the need of a piano teacher ..... what sort of trills are required and furthur simplifications (which I didnt need). Stamina is definitely required for this work..... but then again if you arnt nuts about beethoven, I don't suggest breaking your hands over Waldstein. And if you hav'nt figured out yet trills arnt the only problem.

Hope that helped .

Akhil G.

Yah my piano teacher was inferring that I should try to learn the Waldstein. THough she did say it WITH TONSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! of caution. Maybe I'll try the other beehtoven sonata, tackle that and then move onto to the big boy leagues.

So what are everyone's experiences with the first movement of Walstein?

Well, I'm going to learn the Waldstein. Thanks Maestro for the tips, I'll be looking in my Hanon book that can help magnify the problems and hopefully solve.
(If you have an other technical requirements besides trills that I need to be aware of do tell!) so I can look in my Hanon for the perfect cure!

Didn't Brahms write a book of Hanon-esque etudes that might help with problems like this? I remember them being insanely difficult in really helpful ways...not that I was ever a good enough pianist to play them, nor any but a few isolated movements of Beethoven sonatas.

I think he may have. You have to have an interval of 12 to play them. THATS INSANE! maybe when I'm older I will be able to do that. My highest is a 11, but its hard to get.

I have pretty big hands and i can only stretch 10
doesnt really matter for most things though.
Most pianists i know have small hands.

Yup most things its all about technique and expression.

Which I'm hoping Beehtoven's waldstein will improve !!

Though big hands certainly do not hurt WHO CARES IF YOU HAVE TO ROLL A CHORD!! well I think some composers might mind. hmmmmmmmm.......
(composers making adjustments for the average performer?)

(I'm all about the begginning and end, No middle for me)