Asking About A Specific Editor Of The 35 Beethoven Sonatas

Is Beethoven's work truly technically skilled, or just competent but popular due to luck, good exposure, or patronage?

Beethoven was not only supremely skilled in harmony, rhythmic expression, counterpoint, contrast, suspense and illusion, lush harmony and writhing dissonance, melody writing, and many other aspects of music, but he had a vivid imagination and wasn’t afraid to use it. He was a pioneer, using themes is a kaleidoscope of ways. His music shows a strong sense of purpose. Nothing is written just to fill time and space. If you can play Beethoven without humming along, you’re a master of reticence, or have no vocal cords.He got patronage because he was good, which was the normal way to get patronage among rulers who had good taste in music. He was so self-absorbed his friends laundered his clothes and bought new ones when they got too horrible, for he tended to nothing about his own personage. Not too many of that sort get royal patrons.I never had any interest in getting one piece of Beethoven for the piano. When I began to study, I immediately bought both volumes of his sonatas, which I have played for fifty years now (and am master of none, but disciple of all), for that is the only way to begin to access this amazing mind - all inside on brain case - how did he do it?Ludwig himself seems to have been at the mercy of everyone in his town who saw something of his genius and wanted to form him into something, and he was miserable. But the Maxmilians, who were the Emperors in those days, were also music lovers, and encouraged him. Being in the very cultural and political center of Europe certainly didn’t hurt his chances.I do have a theory that there are dozens of Beethovens out in the world who did not have the exposure, the rich person to help them publish. Or some were born without the drive that helped him ignore searing criticism of his unusual music (especially of its unprecedented length - one symphony is as long as three of Haydn’s). Some with his abilities became meat-cutters or farmers or millers, as were their parents, and were satisfied to be the one who sang at a wedding or played the fiddle at a dance. But that’s how it is in the world; we don’t have the time to listen to ten Bruce Springsteens or a dozen Donald Trumps or six Tchaikowskys. I’m glad, though, that people have taken the time and trouble to note and study and catalogue the works of this genius and musical lover of man’s soul, Beethoven.

What is the difference between Chopin, Beethoven and Mozart?

Each of these composers were notable from their respective time periods.I must say that, really, the odd one out is Beethoven.Mozart’s music is heavenly and undoubtedly the creation of genius. However, his many, many, works was much like that of his time, and he did not have a profound impact on the concept, the idea, of music.It was Beethoven who revolutionized classical music. His music was the bridge between classical and romantic, old and new, conformity and challenge. Beethoven’s music was a defiance to everything, he challenged everyone around him, and, in a time when composers of the likes of Haydn and Mozart walked in and out of the backdoors of the their patrons’ homes, pushed himself tumultuously to equality. Beethoven’s late works are of wonder; full of bustling emotion, intensity, revelations of older life. His last Piano Sonata (32), for example, has a notable passage with a swing, or jazzy, melody.It must be remembered that Beethoven was still viewed with suspicion by the ordinary music lover. Paris audiences in particular were convinced that his late works were the product of a deranged mind. (When the C-sharp minor Quartet was performed there in the late 1820s, most of the audience walked out.)~Taken from Alan Walker’s biography on Franz Liszt.Chopin was a major proponent of the Romantic movement. He preferred Mozart to Beethoven (though he greatly admired both), and seemed to follow the former’s style consisting of longer lines of melody, gradually increasing and decreasing. Chopin’s music was adored during his time, but did not have as much popularity as other composers, notably like that of Liszt’s.Chopin did not compose much for the orchestra - his two piano concertos are perhaps the most noteworthy and complex compositions containing a symphony. He emphasized the piano most.

What are some great compositions by Mozart, Bach and Beethoven?

Wow.  Thought-provoking question.   Bach is considered the Godfather of Western music and Mozart/Beethoven are the big two of the First Viennese School (Haydn being the third). Arguably, most of their oeuvre can be considered great, however there is a convention that considers the later the composition, the greater. Also, I assume that a specific performance of any one composition is intentionally avoided as a component to the question, which makes the question even more difficult to answer (as most will be highly-influenced if not completed biased by their favorite recording/performance of any composition). With the acknowledgement of the convention and the confession of my personal bias, I will identify what I believe is the greatest compositions of these great (perhaps the greatest?) composers:Bach:B-minor Mass http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mas...Goldberg Variations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gol... (strong bias towards Glenn Gould's 1955 recording)Brandenburg Concertos http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bra...Unaccompanied Cello Suites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cel...Mozart:Symphony #41 (Jupiter) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sym...Le Nozze di Figaro (Opera) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The...Requiem Mass http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Req...Piano Concerto #21 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pia...Beethoven:Symphonies -- I'm conflicted -- historically #3, #5, #7, and #9 are all identified as the greatest -- especially #9.  My personal favorite is #8.Piano Concerti -- I'm conflicted again -- historically #5 is identified as the greatest.  My personal favorite is #4.Piano Sonatas -- I'm conflicted again -- historically #6 (Pathetique), #14 (Moonlight), and #23 (Appassionata) are all identified as the greatest.  My personal favorite is #21 (Waldstein).

Is there any piece as majestic as Chopin's 3rd Sonata's finale?

I’m sure you mean to ask about piano pieces. If we are limiting our competition to piano works then my answer would have to be no.Chopin:Piano Sonata No.3 Op.58 H-moll 4th movement FinaleThis is quite possibly the most powerful, stunning, and breathtaking piano piece to ever spring from the head of a master. There are several reasons for this. The first is the context in which it is placed.Martin Freeman's answer to Which classical composers wrote the most complex pieces?Standing in stunning contrast to the dark and chilling 2nd sonata, the Third captures the struggle, the eternal journey of the human soul. The first movement is the Majestic tapestry of raw beauty through infinite complexity. There is captured the existential chaos of man’s destiny. With long, rambling themes and aggressive development, coupled with a lack of recapitulation, the world-breaking architecture of the opening movement is lost on most listeners. The second movement captures the fleeting thrills of life and the third the profound sadness in the stillness of age. But not the Finale.Exhaled in one exuberant breath and bursting forth in glorious day, the last movement takes the stage by storm. Majesty isn’t about volume or large chords. Majesty is about the power hidden in each human soul. Let’s forget about the technical difficulties and the virtuostic display of skill. Let’s forget about the complex swirling of keys and the harmonies and sub-melodies. Because once the piece is started there is no return. The chills have begun.The last movement represents the final triumph of man. It captures the victory we all strive for. The last movement in one of his latest sets put to paper, Chopin is sending a triumphant message to the millions around the world who have heard this piece. When you perform it, there is no stopping, there are no breaks, there is no hesitation, there is no doubt, there are no valleys, there are no seas, there is nothing in the way of you and that glorious light on the hill until you come home to the trembling, crashing chords at the end. It is the sound of strength, victorious and triumphant, and the human will everlasting.