Assistant Professor of Music, Piano Literature
The Piano Sonata: Beethoven and the Romantics
What You'll Learn
- Learn how the piano sonata was taken to new heights by Beethoven.
- Explore the "War of the Romantics."
- Understand the differences between Viennese and English/French traditions of piano music.
4 Modules
12 Hours
3 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About The Piano Sonata: Beethoven and the Romantics
In this course, learners will review sonata form and learn how the piano sonata was taken to new heights by Ludwig van Beethoven. We’ll discover together how the generation that followed interpreted Beethoven’s achievements and put them into practice in their own unique ways. From there, we will explore the “War of the Romantics”: the variety of formal structures for Romantic sonatas (both traditional and progressive) and the major repertoire of this era. You’ll hear some of the important pianos of the time, and understand the differences between Viennese and English/French traditions of piano music.
This course was filmed at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, among other locations, to showcase the depth of the sonata repertoire and the instruments that contributed to its history.
Skills You'll Gain
- Music History
- Music Theory
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to The Piano Sonata: Beethoven and the Romantics, part of the Exploring Piano Literature series. This course examines how Beethoven transformed sonata form and how Romantic composers expanded its expressive and structural possibilities.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Setting the Stage
- Video: Course Introduction: Setting the Stage
- Reading: Course Syllabus
- Discussion Prompt: Introduce Yourself
- Reading: Help Us Learn More About You
- Reading: Putting Sonatas Together
- Video: Sonata Characteristics & Composers
- Video: Sonata Form: Principles, Origins, Processes, & Theorists
- Video: Sonata Form Overview
- Video: Movement Architecture
- Graded: Sonata Form & Movement Architecture
Module 2: Ludwig van Beethoven
- Video: Beethoven's 32 Sonatas: Social Context and Musical Influences
- Reading: Beethoven: Theoretical Matters
- Reading: Early Period (1795-1800)
- Video: Later Viennese Piano
- Video: Sonata op. 2 no. 1 in F minor
- Video: Early Fermatas in Beethoven
- Video: Sonata op. 13 in C minor "Pathetique"
- Reading: Transitional Period (1800-1802)
- Video: Sonata op. 31 no. 2 in D minor "Tempest"
- Reading: Middle Period (1803-1810)
- Video: 5.5 Octave Piano
- Video: Sonata op. 53 in C major "Waldstein"
- Reading: Late Period (1814 and Beyond)
- Video: Graf Piano
- Discussion Prompt: Beethoven & Stereotypes
- Video: Sonata op. 110 in A-flat major
- Discussion Prompt: Reasons for Repeating Musical Ideas
- Graded: Beethoven: Theoretical and Social Context and Early Sonatas
- Graded: Transitional and Middle Periods
- Graded: Beethoven Sonatas: Late Period and Wrap-Up
Module 3: Romantics
- Video: Clementi, Dussek, Weber, and Hummel
- Reading: Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
- Video: Schubert's "Little" A major Sonata, D. 664
- Video: Schubert's "Great" A major Sonata D. 959
- Discussion Prompt: Schubert's Approach to the Sonata
- Reading: Romantic Sonatas: Stylistic Context
- Video: Schumann Sonatas
- Video: Schumann's Sonata no. 2 in G minor
- Reading: Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
- Video: Brahms's Sonata no. 3 in F minor
- Reading: Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
- Video: Érard Piano
- Video: Chopin's Sonata no. 3 in B minor
- Reading: Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
- Video: Liszt's Sonata in B minor
- Discussion Prompt: Following Liszt's Form
- Graded: The Early 19th Century: Virtuosi & Schubert
- Graded: Romantic Sonatas: Stylistic Context, Schumann, and Brahms
- Graded: Chopin & Liszt
Module 4: Course Conclusion and Honors Track Formal Analysis
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
- Reading: Honors Lesson: Score Analysis
- Reading: Formal Analysis: Beethoven's Sonata Opus 22 in B-Flat
- Reading: Answer Key: Beethoven's Sonata Opus 22 in B-Flat
- Discussion Prompt: Formal Analysis Discussion: Beethoven's Sonata Opus 22 in B-Flat
- Graded: Honors Lesson Commitment
Grading Policy
Learners complete seven graded quizzes throughout the course, and each quiz is equally weighted. Optional Honors activities are ungraded.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Intermediate Level
Some related experience required
Course Video
What Learners Are Saying
This course series offers a unique opportunity for music lovers who want to gain a better understanding of piano sonata literature and for music students who want to refine their knowledge. All learners will have an opportunity to study music from many different angles…
Matthew Bengtson Assistant Professor of Music, Piano Literature
