Beethoven - Three Sonatas for Piano G major, D minor, E-flat major op. 31 Book

Beethoven - Three Sonatas for Piano G major, D minor, E-flat major op. 31 Book

Explore Beethoven’s dramatic Tempest and more in this meticulously edited Urtext edition of his iconic piano sonatas.

Beethoven’s Three Sonatas for Piano Op. 31, composed in 1802, represent the composer’s final grouping of piano sonatas under one opus number. The collection’s centrepiece is the dramatic Sonata in D minor, famously known as the "Tempest," which captivated Beethoven’s contemporaries. According to Anton Schindler, when asked about the "key" to this work and the Appassionata Sonata Op. 57, Beethoven suggested, “Just read Shakespeare’s Tempest.”

Edited by Jonathan Del Mar, one of today’s foremost Beethoven scholars, this Urtext edition offers a meticulously crafted musical text, based on an intensive study of all available sources. It presents fresh readings drawn from the latest research findings, along with a detailed Critical Commentary explaining sources, readings, and editorial decisions. The edition features a user-friendly layout that enhances both the flow of the music and the ease of studying this complex repertoire, with clear page turns and a transparent appearance.

The edition also includes a comprehensive chapter on period performance practice, addressing key issues such as the instruments Beethoven used, their range, pedal usage, tempo, dynamics, articulation, and ornaments—providing invaluable insight for performers seeking a historically informed approach to these iconic works.

Features Include:

• Scholarly-critical Urtext edition at the cutting edge of scholarship
• New readings
• Based on an evaluation of all available sources
• Reader-friendly layout and practical page turns
• Informative Introduction (Eng/Ger) and detailed Critical Commentary (Eng)
• With valuable information on historical performance practice (Eng/Ger)

Pieces Include:

• Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 16 in G major, Op. 31 No. 1
• Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 'Tempest'
• Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E flat major, Op. 31 No. 3 'The Hunt'