4.9
stars
61 ratings

Jonathan Biss

2,933 already enrolled

Offered By

Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 4

Curtis Institute of Music

About this Course

Please join us for Part 4 of Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas course, taught by Curtis faculty member and extraordinary concert artist, Jonathan Biss. This course is new and contains separate sets of lectures and sonatas that we not previously discussed. Specifically, in Part 4, we will cover Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Op. 2, No. 2, Op. 10, No. 3, Op. 28 and Op. 110. As with the other three Beethoven courses, it is not necessary to have taken the previous Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas courses. We think you will be perfectly comfortable to start learning with Part 4, if you wish and go from here. There is always the option to go back to earlier parts at any time. Between these courses, there exists a large amount of additional resources and learning that might be helpful as you embark on Part 4. We certainly encourage you to take Parts 1, 2 and 3, if you have not yet. In the meantime, enjoy the class and Part 4 of Exploring Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Intermediate Level

Approx. 5 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Intermediate Level

Approx. 5 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.94/5 (20 Ratings)

Jonathan Biss

Neubauer Family Chair in Piano Studies

Performance Faculty

81,696 Learners

6 Courses

Offered by

Curtis Institute of Music

The Curtis Institute of Music educates and trains exceptionally gifted young musicians to engage a local and global community through the highest level of artistry. A tuition-free policy ensures that talent and artistic promise are the only considerations for admission. With a small student body of about 175, Curtis ensures that each young musician receives an education of unparalleled quality, distinguished by personalized attention from a celebrated faculty and a “learn by doing” philosophy. Curtis students hone their craft through more than 200 orchestra, opera, and solo and chamber music offerings each year in Philadelphia and around the world.

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Welcome to Class!

We are glad that you have joined us for Part 4 of Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas course, taught by Curtis faculty member and extraordinary concert artist, Jonathan Biss! This course is considered Part 4, with new and separate sets of lectures. Specifically, in Part 4, we will cover Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Op. 2, No. 2, Op. 10, No. 3, Op. 28 and Op. 110. As with the other three Beethoven courses, it is not necessary to have taken the previous Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas courses. We think you will be perfectly comfortable to start learning with Part 4, if you wish and go from here. There is always the option to go back to earlier parts at any time. Between these courses, there exists a large amount of additional resources and learning that might be helpful as you embark on Part 4. We certainly encourage you to take Parts 1, 2 and 3, if you have not yet. In the meantime, enjoy the class and Part 4 of Exploring Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas.

1 hour to complete

3 readings

Week

Week 2

1 hour to complete

Op. 2, No. 2

1 hour to complete

9 videos (Total 56 min)

9 videos

Haydn and his Influence4m

Haydn and Beethoven: Mixing the Sacred and the Profane4m

1st Movement: Wit and Graciousness6m

1st Movement: An Unexpected Emotional Range4m

1st Movement: Harmonic Adventures in the Service of Character5m

2nd Movement: Piety…6m

2nd Movement: …and Intensity7m

3rd Movement: Between Minuet and Scherzo4m

4th Movement: “Grazioso” but on a Grand Scale9m

1 practice exercise

Final Quiz – Op. 2 No. 2 Quiz

Week

Week 3

1 hour to complete

Op. 10, No. 3

1 hour to complete

10 videos (Total 77 min)

10 videos

1st Movement: Ambition and Irrepressible Speed4m

1st Movement: Rhythmic Displacement and Inconclusive “Endings”12m

1st Movement: Complexity and Rhythmic Trickery8m

2nd Movement: Beethoven’s First Great Tragic Slow Movement4m

2nd Movement: Breadth and Lamentation7m

2nd Movement: Intensity and Melodrama5m

2nd Movement: Anticipating the “Ghost” Trio9m

3rd Movement: After the Storm, a Gentle Menuet7m

4th Movement: A Finale of Ambivalence and Mystery6m

4th Movement: Avoiding the Straightforward, and Anticipating the Future11m

1 practice exercise

Final Quiz – Op. 10, No. 3

Week

Week 4

1 hour to complete

Op. 28

1 hour to complete

7 videos (Total 59 min)

7 videos

After Wild Adventures, a Return to Old Forms2m

1st Movement: Using Rhythm and Harmony to Create a Cyclical Quality11m

1st Movement: A Development of Sudden Drama9m

2nd Movement: A Stoic Nature and Orchestral Scoring5m

2nd Movement: Emotional Power without Histrionics9m

3rd Movement: A Laconic Scherzo with Sly Humor8m

4th Movement: A Cyclical Rondo to Cap a Cyclical Sonata12m

1 practice exercise

Final Quiz – Op. 28 Quiz

Reviews

4.9

23 reviews

5 stars
93.44%
4 stars
3.27%
3 stars
1.63%
1 star
1.63%

TOP REVIEWS FROM EXPLORING BEETHOVEN'S PIANO SONATAS PART 4

by SSJul 10, 2021

Marvellous in-depth study of these sonatas, a privilege and a pleasure to attend

by SUMay 20, 2021

Well done as always...in terms of technical and artistic interpretation!

by SSApr 8, 2019

Mr. Biss is a wonderful teacher. He is able to convey his love of the music as well as help is students better appreciate these sonatas. The lessons learned will carry over to all my listening.

by PCJun 13, 2019

I listen to these lectures every once in a while when I just heard or want to listen to Beethoven's sonatas.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Build employee skills, drive business results

Discover Coursera for Business

Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 4

Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Part 4

About this Course