Beethoven: Sonata No. 25 in G Major, Op. 79

The Complete Sonatas of Beethoven (Live)
Joel Schoenhals, piano
www.joelschoenhals.com
Eastern Michigan University
Pease Auditorium
March 20, 2015
Greg Knollmeyer, video production
www.video.gregknollmeyer.com/
Sonata No. 25 in G Major, Op. 79 (1809)
Beethoven called this work a ‘sonatina’, which is a term that generally refers to an easier work written for students or amateurs. The sonata does not have a dedicatee, but if it were written for a student, he or she must have been quite accomplished because it is deceptively difficult. The enthusiastic first movement is marked Presto alla tedesca, or ‘quickly in the style of a German dance.’ The German dance, or Deutcher, was a dance in triple meter that later turned into the waltz. Perhaps Beethoven was feeling a bit nationalistic and composed this animated German dance complete with cuckoo birds in the middle. The second movement in ABA form shows the many faces of Beethoven. One could easily mistake this for one of Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words. With its beautiful Italianate melodies and rocking left hand, it sounds like a Venetian barcarolle, or boat song. The third movement is a very brief rondo. The opening theme shares a shocking similarity to the opening melody of the Sonata in E Major, Op. 109. Similar to the Sonata in F# Major, Op. 78, this works ends unexpectedly.
- Notes by Joel Schoenhals, 2015
Dan Harteau, piano technician
Concert Instrument:
This performance features Steinway Model D, serial number 213668. It was manufactured in the Steinway & Sons factory in Queens, New York on March 28, 1922. Presumably, it returned to the Steinway factory for additional work in the 1950s, as there are Steinway 100th anniversary medallions on the fallboard. Sampson R. Field, a former president of the New York Philharmonic and chairman of the Marlboro School of Music and Marlboro Festival in Vermont purchased the instrument in 1953. "Mr. Field headed the Philharmonic from 1978 to 1981 and was a member of its board for more than 20 years. He was an amateur pianist who occasionally played with professionals, and he worked for many years as a volunteer for several organizations that aided the growth and development of the careers of young musicians" (New York Times, obituary, 1991). AC Pianocraft of New York City acquired the piano and it was rebuilt in 2006.
Special thanks for the Eastern Michigan University Provost Research Award which made these videos possible.

[@nellymccausland]

A fine interpretation of this lovely piece of music.

[@ray-piano9326]

Brilliant and amazing. Superb playing and interpretation, in my modest opinion. Wish I could play this sonata half as well ...

[@bharatc.sampat6406]

Wonderful Wonderful

[@JoelSchoenhals]

Many thanks

[@johnsimca7093]

Beethoven’s most joyful work

[@JoelSchoenhals]

For sure!

[@volusicamara9690]

Bela! Transcendental !

[@adenorisit9821]

Bravo!! 👏👏👍👍

[@Pierre_Bennett]

👍👏👏👏👏