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 in this course and the criteria for the choice of the works you’ll study.

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.

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.

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.