Rondo in C Major, Op. 51, No. 1

Piano Solo

By Ludwig van Beethoven

Reproduction not as clear as I would like.

This is a pleasant jewel of a Beethoven piece recommended to me by my teacher. In Beethovenian lightheartedness, it provides the delight of a Mozart or Haydn composition, as well as a chance for display without Lisztian pyrotechnics. Even in the shadow of the composer's later "Rage over a...

lost penny", this rondo is able to hold its own.

Beethoven transforms a relatively simple theme into a rollercoaster of exciting developments, changes, and surprises. It is truly one of his many triumphs that is rather over-looked by many. Altough rather difficult, a pianist of a few years will find the challenge worth their while. Be careful to follow...

suggested fingering (especially for the sixteenth note triplets) but altering it a bit to suit your hand is a must with any music. Truly a piece that stands out on its own, audiences will be thrilled with the elegance, simplicity, textures, and colors that Beethoven created. And, as if this piece couldn't be great enough, the music stays in its place without collapsing and bending while you play. There are also no awkward page turns - a hand is always free during these places. So if you want to play Beethoven, but already exhausted classics like Fur Elise and the Moonlight Sonata, look no further than Beethoven's Rondo in C.