Beethoven Piano Your resource for the piano music of Ludwig van Beethoven

asin: B0001RVRFE binding: Audio CD list price: $11.98 USD amazon price: $10.22 USD

The average listener will never have heard most of the music on these discs, sets of variations Beethoven composed in his piano-playing days for casual use. All but one lack opus numbers, which means Beethoven didn't take them very seriously. There are no hidden masterpieces here, at least not in Ogdon's nine selections. But the music has charm and grace, and gives dedicated Beethoven-lovers a chance to experience the composer at his most informal. Ogdon, a great fire-breathing virtuoso during his brief prime, plays this music with modesty and subtlety, never inflating the music beyond its boundaries. These previously-rare recordings (if they were ever issued at all) expand our understanding of a great, tragic pianist, brought down at the height of his career by mental illness. The Gilels performances, of somewhat better-known music, are rescued from their original use as fillers on concerto LPs. Gilels plays the almost famous 32 Variations in C Minor with wonderful drama, and captures the humor in the "Turkish March" Variations. With EMI's excellently remastered sound and super-bargain price, this set is well worth acquiring for anyone interested in the music. --Leslie Gerber

author: Beethoven asin: B000LRYPUS binding: Digital list price: $2.75 USD amazon price: $2.75 USD

Downloadable sheet music file

asin: 1569220522 binding: Paperback list price: $10.95 USD amazon price: $10.95 USD

A collection of 26 of Beethoven's finest piano pieces, including: Andante (from Symphony No. 5) * Farewell to the Piano * Fuer Elise * Minuet in G * Moonlight Sonata * Pathetique Sonata * Victory Theme * and more.

author: Steven Isserlis asin: 0571206166 binding: Paperback list price: $7.96 USD amazon price: $7.96

Why did Bach's son call him 'The Old Wig'?What part did Stravinsky's parrot play at dinner parties?How did Mozart keep his pigtails styled?What did Schumann invent to make his fingers stronger?And why did Beethoven throw his stew?This book is a unique introduction for children to the world of classical composers and their music.Famous cellist Steven Isserlis brings six of his favorite composers to life in an irresistible manner, painting hilarious biographical portraits of each of them and describing their music in lively detail. Packed with facts, dates, anecdotes and illustrations, Why Beethoven Threw the Stew is an attractive and accessible read for children (and their parents!).