WELCOME TO CLASS! We are thrilled that you have joined us for Part 5 of Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas course, taught by Jonathan Biss, Chair of Piano Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music. Jonathan is recognized as a world-renown concert artist and musical thinker. This course is Part 5 of the existing series called Exploring Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas. As with all sections of this course, Part 5 contains new and separate sets of lectures. Specifically, we will dive into Beethoven's Piano Sonata Op. 27, No. 1; Sonata Op. 31, No. 1; Hammerklavier, Op. 106, to which there are two dedicated lectures for this monumental work. It is important to remind you that it is not necessary to have taken the previous Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas courses, in order to enroll in this one. We think you will be perfectly comfortable to start learning with Part 5 if you wish and continue backwards. Between these courses, there exists a large amount of additional resources and learning that might be helpful as you embark on Part 5. And of course, we strongly encourage you to take Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, if you have not yet. In the meantime, have a terrific time taking this class and Part 5 of Exploring Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas.