Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata 20
in G Major, Op. 49 No. 2
Not Beethoven's 20th Sonata, but actually an early Sonatina which doesn't hint much at the composer's later piano revolution, this is a charming, playful, and effective concert piece.
Year: 1797
Period: Classical
Piano score: PS Urtext 
Audiovisual Study Tool
Sonata 20 Op. 49 No. 2 1st mvt - FREE SAMPLE (mp3 file) Sonata 20 Op. 49 No. 2 2nd mvt - FREE SAMPLE (mp3 file) 
Beethoven's Easiest Sonata
Beethoven published this sonata in 1805. That’s 10 years after he wrote it, meaning that it predates even the first symphony. It’s a short work of just about eight minutes in length, it comprises only two movements, and it is also considered the easiest of all the Beethoven piano sonatas. Beethoven often held back pieces that he didn’t think were good enough or that he thought needed further improvement. In the case of this sonata and its immediate predecessor, it was Caspar van Beethoven, the composer's brother, who presented them to a publishing house, most likely against the composer's will. Had Beethoven himself released this sonata for publication, he would have called it a sonatina, owing to its modest proportions and simplified sonata form. This relaxed and playful piece doesn’t hint much at what would come later, but together with Sonata No. 19, the piece does show Beethoven’s quality even though he was feeling out the scope of his composing at the time.Forum posts about this piece:
Feeling stuck by aprilshowers
Hi everyone! I struggling a bit right now with practice and motivation. I'm feeling very stuck in place, like I'm not actually learning anything... I've been working on the same pieces for so many...
Where to start again? by tenderland
Hello, I wish to resume my classical piano studies but I am not sure where to begin. I left off 10 years ago. The most advanced piece I learned was Beethoven op 49 no 2. I used to know all major and minor...
Suzuki Levels by taraweaver
I saw that the Suzuki Piano Method puts Beethoven op 49 no 2 in the book BEFORE the book with Fur Elise, Old French Song (Tchaikovsky), and Waltz in a minor (Op. Posthumous, Chopin). In what sense...
What grade ? by tenderland
Hello , Was wondering what grade I would be considered. I know all scales ,majot minor harmonic ,melodic. I do not practise any arpegios. The most advanced piece I know Is Beethoven Two easy...
My teacher thinks a piece is too hard for me? by mishamalchik
Hello, So I hurt my arm (ouch) and now my right arm is out of commission for the next couple weeks. I've been exploring various repertoire for the left hand alone...
how selective is the curtis summerfest? by sumpianodude
will i be able to get in playing Beethoven Op. 49 and Bach inventions or should I try to do harder pieces like tempest and WTC...
Which Beethoven Sonatas for Auditions by mishamalchik
Recently I learned that the Beethoven Sonatas op 49 are banned from most (but not all) auditions due to their lack of difficulty. Given that they are explicitly banned on some but not all...
An etude or sonata for developing my left hand please! by ramy1989
Hi guys: I am an amateur piano player. I would say I am somehow in the intermediate level. I play Beethoven's sonata op 49 no 2, the first movement, Beethoven's sonata op 10 no 2, first...
An etude or sonata for developing my left hand please! by ramy1989
Hi guys: I am an amateur piano player. I would say I am somehow in the intermediate level. I play Beethoven's sonata op 49 no 2, the first movement, Beethoven's sonata op 10 no 2, first...
BEETHOVEN'S PIANO SONATA NO. 20 IN G MAJOR by wendellb340
Hi all, I am a newbie on this board and this is my first post. I am an amateur pianist. I have up till now only studied only 1 of Beethoven's Piano Sonata's, that being "Moonlight"...
interpreting beethoven trills by ptyrrell
Hi, I am re-visiting my past and playing Beethoven Op 49 No 2, and not sure how to interpret the trills. Do I begin on the upper note? I would be grateful for any help
Which is easier? by stormx
- Beethoven sonata Op.49 n°1 - Beethoven sonata Op.49 n°2 - Mozart sonata K545 I have been playing for 2 years, and my teacher says i can tackle any of them, but i am not so...
Timing with ornamentations (Bh. Op.49 No.2) by prometheus
In measure four and eight there is a C with a tremelo and a B-C grace note onto B. I have a hard time playing this correctly in time. In the fourth measure it isn't that hard but in the eight the part for...
Beethoven Sonata Op 49 no 2 /Bach Goldberg Aria by lani
My daughter is 11 and has been playing for five years. She would like to play a sonata (she has played quite a few sonatinas-Clementi, Beethoven) and wants to play something longer and more challenging....
Sonata 20 in G Major - Op. 49 No. 2 is a piece by the classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
The composition was first published in 1797 and is included in Sonatas by Beethoven.