The 23 Greatest Solo Piano Works

Examine the life of the concert pianist and the extraordinary rigors of this unique profession. Then, trace the history of the harpsichord and see how the piano, capable of a huge sonic range, evolved from its beginnings in 1700 into the modern concert instrument. Review the range of composers and the criteria for the choice of the works you'll study.

Examine the life of the concert pianist and the extraordinary rigors of this unique profession. Then, trace the history of the harpsichord and see how the piano, capable of a huge sonic range, evolved from its beginnings in 1700 into the modern concert instrument. Review the range of composers in this course and the criteria for the choice of the works you'll study.#Music, Philosophy & Religion

Learn about the aesthetic of the High Baroque, with its duality of exuberant expression and intellectual control. Define the highly controlled fugue as a "polyphonic" musical form, and the free-form prelude that precedes each fugue in Bach's scheme. Then explore the "well tempered" tuning system and Bach's use of musical genres in his preludes and fugues.

As a point of entry to this vastly influential work, learn about the aesthetic of the High Baroque. Define the highly controlled fugue as a "polyphonic" musical form, and the free-form prelude that precedes each fugue in Bach's scheme. Then explore the "well tempered" tuning system and Bach's use of musical genres in his sublime preludes and fugues.

Trace the roots of this iconic work and the circumstances of its creation. Penetrate its complexity by digging into its "concentric" structure. In particular, discover the remarkable "trinities" - successive groups of three variations - and how they serve the larger unity and spiritual meaning of the set. Learn also about Bach's admittedly checkered relationship with the piano.

Trace the roots of this masterpiece and the circumstances of its creation. Penetrate its complexity by digging into its "concentric" structure to discover the remarkable "trinities" and how they serve the larger unity and spiritual meaning of the set.

Mozart single-handedly enlarged the scale, virtuosity, and importance of the piano sonata. Track Mozart's rise as a keyboard prodigy and his transition from the harpsichord to writing music specifically for the piano. Through the great C Minor Sonata, grasp his lyric, operatic use of the piano that looks toward the music of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Mozart single-handedly enlarged the scale, virtuosity, and importance of the piano sonata. Track Mozart's rise as a keyboard prodigy and his transition from the harpsichord to writing music specifically for the piano. Through the great C Minor Sonata, grasp his lyric, operatic use of the piano; rich melodic variety; dynamic contrasts; and expressive extremes.

Learn how Beethoven's relationship with the organ led to the power and sonority of his piano works. In the sonata's opening, see how Beethoven creates a compelling narrative through persistent dissonances and ambiguous harmonies. Witness how the second movement theme and variations achieves a lyrical calm before the darkness of the heart-stopping finale.

First, learn how Beethoven's relationship with the organ led to the orchestral power and sonority of his piano works. Also trace how the Appassionata grew from the composer's psychological self-reinvention following his tragic hearing loss.

Grasp the extraordinary ways in which Beethoven varies the theme, using allusion, humor, and parody. Follow the progression of the three groups of variations, from the first group's cumulative unfolding to the second group's dissociations and contrasts, leading to the final set's movement toward the spirit of Bach and concluding in a transcendent peace.

Arguably the greatest of all works for solo piano, these glorious variations were written on an invitation from composer Anton Diabelli. Grasp the extraordinary ways in which Beethoven varies the theme, using allusion, humor, and parody.

Learn about Schubert's struggle with illness, Beethoven's influence, and the importance of song in Schubert's music. In the B-flat Major Sonata, delineate the ravishing melodies that compose the first movement. Savor the melancholy and slow-changing harmonies of the andante, the harmonic flight of the scherzo, and the expressive range of the final rondo.

Among relevant details of the composer's life, learn about Schubert's tragic struggle with ill health, Beethoven's influence as a role model, and the importance of song in the character of Schubert's music. In the beloved B-flat Major Sonata, delineate the three ravishing thematic melodies that compose the first movement.

As context for studying the music of Chopin, delve into the aesthetics of 19th-century Romanticism, its emphasis on self-expression, and its model of the artist-hero. Discover the lyric intimacy, harmonic ingenuity, and expressive nuance of these exquisite miniatures, as each prelude evokes a single emotional environment.

Delve into the aesthetics of 19th-century Romanticism, its emphasis on self-expression, and its model of the artist-hero. Also glimpse Chopin's painstaking process in the writing of the preludes. Discover the intimacy, ingenuity, and nuance of these exquisite miniatures, as each prelude evokes a single emotional environment.

Chopin's music for the piano was directly impacted by the evolution of the instrument itself. First, study two innovations in piano design that produced more resonant pianos. Then, take apart the musical architecture of the G Minor Ballade to see how Chopin creates a dramatic poem with an emotional narrative that builds to an apotheosis-like conclusion.

Chopin's music for the piano was directly impacted by the evolution of the instrument itself. First, study innovations in piano design and grasp the symbiotic relationship between Chopin as pianist and as composer. Then, take apart the musical architecture of the G Minor Ballade, focusing on its unusual structure.

Trace the origins of this landmark of Romanticism in Schumann's fascination with the novels of E. T. A. Hoffman, his anguished courtship of future wife Clara Wieck, and his impulse to create art that fused music, literature, and autobiography. In the eight extraordinary movements of Kreisleriana, consider how Schumann writes a spiritual diary in sound.

Trace the origins of this landmark of Romanticism in Schumann's fascination with the novels of E.T.A. Hoffman. In the eight extraordinary movements of Kreisleriana, consider how Schumann writes a spiritual diary in sound, using expressive thematic melodies and harmonic complexity to reveal rich metaphoric meaning and his own innermost feelings and fears.

Encounter the passionate, demonic figure of Liszt, the ultimate virtuoso-hero, packing concert halls and raising audiences to heights of ecstasy and adulation. Through his Years of Pilgrimage, learn how Liszt redefined what was possible in piano playing, creating musical and pianistic effects that push the limits of the pianist and the instrument.

Explore the legacy of Franz Liszt as piano virtuoso, composer, and innovator in piano writing. Encounter the passionate, demonic figure of Liszt, the ultimate virtuoso-hero, packing concert halls and raising audiences to heights of ecstasy and adulation. Through his Years of Pilgrimage, learn how Liszt redefined what was possible in piano playing and pushed the limits of the instrument.

Here, probe further into the extraordinary life and contribution of Liszt. Follow the events of his trailblazing virtuoso career and his near burnout that led to the introspective period in Weimar that produced the B Minor Sonata. Analyze the large-scale structure of this magisterial work and its metaphoric meaning based in the narrative of Goethe's Faust.

Probe further into the extraordinary life and contribution of Liszt. Follow the events of his trailblazing virtuoso career and his near burnout that led to the introspective period in Weimar that produced the B Minor Sonata. Analyze the large-scale structure of this magisterial work based in the narrative of Goethe's Faust.

Contemplate the name of this work as it reveals Brahms's spiritual links to the musical past and his individualist stance as a Romantic-era composer. Learn also about defining influences in Brahms's life that shaped his musical destiny.