Beethoven Piano Sonatas--Jonathan Biss on Coursera

[richardfinegold]

I remember that there were some technical difficulties starting the course, and with some of the subsequent lectures. I guess that if it had actually cost me some $ to take the course that I might have felt aggrieved, but considering the pleasure the course gives and the fact that it's free, wth

[Dave2002]

Cassandra

Currently listening to some of the lower numbered sonatas for comparison for the assignment. I have access to Spotify, so it's not too hard to find performances by Schnabel, Goode, Barenboim and Perahia, even Glenn Gould, for example. Rudolf Serkin, whom Biss claims as an influence in his short book is slighly harder to find. http://open.spotify.com/track/6olmRo9C1wTZg1hIIX6fJ2

[amateur51]

As you're looking for Beethoven piano sonata performances for comparison Dave2002, I'd recommend this extraordinary link that offers a complete cycle played by Maria Grinberg who was until a few months ago merely a name to me.

The recording characteristics are somewhat variable and so it's not a good idea to listen too many 'off the roll'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUpb5PMD700&feature=player_detailpage

[Dave2002]

am51

Thanks for that. I've now got as far as writing up the assignment - comparing the Op 7 sonata with any one of the other early sonatas. I discovered also that it really is possible to keep submitting and resubmitting the text, though just a little care has to be taken if multiple browsers are used, or multiple windows within one browser. I nearly overwrote one of my later versions with an earlier one by mistake, at which point I just decided not to bother with drafts, but simply to keep submitting revisions - which I may do until the deadline.

I'll try the recordings you mentioned, though now I've discovered Ronald Brautigam's versions I'll probably stick with them for a while - http://open.spotify.com/track/5dPb82tki2rLdMVtejpuQi They are very good. I think they were made on modern reproduction fortepianos by Paul McNulty - which sound very good to me. I really recommend these highly.

[Dave2002]

Cassandra

Yes I've listened to the 2 lectures (and downloaded the text - quite useful to read through afterwards) and am trying to decide which other sonata to compare to op.7, if I do the assignment... feeling a bit challenged at the moment

Just go for it! Even comparing with Op 20/2 - the "easy one" counts!

Various links posted on the forum have been useful. I liked this one
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0wUsO-8cx8

Hope you're enjoying it?

Two points - I think the link you gave has a problem - not sure what, and yes - I'm enjoying it, but it takes a long while.

[richardfinegold]

An article in BBC Music magazine states that the Bis course had 35,000 enrollees.