Nineteenth-century editions of Beethoven's piano sonata in E major, Opus 109.
Date
2002
Authors
Star, Allison
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Abstract
My thesis examines specific nineteenth-century editions of Beethoven's piano sonata Opus 109 as prepared by two groups of musicians: the piano virtuoso and the theorist/analyst. Study of these editions yields greater understanding of the two often conflicting approaches to editing that have profoundly influenced performance practice of Beethoven' s piano style right up to the present day. Due to the complex publication history of Opus 109 ( 1821 ), the first printed edition of the sonata contained very many serious errors; there is not one "ideal" edition that matches Beethoven' s intended vision as revealed through studies of hi s autograph, notes and sketches. The controversial first edition of Opus 109 set the sonata as a catalyst on the interpretive stage in the War of the Romantics. This thesis critically analyses several specific types of editions produced by theorists and pedagogues, incorporating historical and biographical research to enrich understanding of the editor's perspective, the need for specific types of editions, and as a reflection of society at the time.