John Gibbons holds a Ph.D. in music composition from the University of Chicago. He teaches music appreciation classes at the Universality of Chicago’s Graham School and at Newberry Library. He also offers private piano lessons in the Chicago area.
Bonnie Gibbons is a web site developer and SEO with a background in classical music. She might be persuaded to teach a few cello lessons in the Chicago area.
Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas comprehensively defined the sonata and revolutionized pianistic technique. This course will examine some of Beethoven’s most influential works in the genre, such as the “Moonlight,” “Waldstein,” “Appassionata,” and “Hammerklavier” sonatas. Topics will include the nature of Beethoven’s sonatas, their historical significance, and their unique status in Western art.
(24K)
Inlcudes recommended books.
Syllabus
Week 1:
3 Sonatas, Op. 2 (1795); Grande Sonata, Op. 7 (1797)
Week 2:
3 Sonatas, Op. 10 (1796-98); Sonata Pathetique, Op. 13 (1799); 2 Sonatas, Op. 14 (1799)
Week 3:
Sonata, Op. 22 (1800); Sonata, Op. 26 (1801); 2 Sonatas quasi una fantasia, Op. 27 (1801)
Week 4:
Sonata Pastorale, Op. 28 (1801); 3 Sonatas, Op. 31 (1802); Two Easy Sonatas, Op. 49 (No. 1: 1798, No. 2: 1796. These will be only briefly considered.)
Week 5:
Sonata, Op. 53 “Waldstein” (1804); Sonata, Op. 54 (1804); Sonata, Op. 57 “Appassionata” (1805)
Week 6:
Sonata, Op. 78 (1809); Sonata, Op. 79 (1809); Sonata, Op. 81a (Les Adieux -1809); Sonata, Op. 90 (1814)
Week 7:
Sonata, Op. 101 (1816); Sonata, Op. 106 (1818)
Both sonatas are marked “For the Hammerklavier”
Week 8:
Sonata, Op. 109 (1820); Sonata, Op. 110 (1821); Sonata, Op. 111 (1822)