Pick up Beethoven’s famous and representative works!
Ludwig van Beethoven created innovative music that served as a bridge from the Classical to the Romantic era, leaving a profound influence on later generations.
His music is passionate yet rich in beautiful melodies, and it conveys a sense of essential depth, as if pursuing things to their very core.
There are many masterpieces that everyone has heard at least once, such as “Fate” (Symphony No.
5) and “Für Elise.”
In this article, we’ve picked out some of Beethoven’s famous and representative works.
Why not immerse yourself in the music of Beethoven, one of the great composers?
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[Beethoven] Picking Up Masterpieces and Signature Works! (21–30)
Fragment for Symphony No. 10 “Andante”Ludwig van Beethoven
When it comes to the Symphony No.
10, many middle-aged and older people learned about it in school as the “Unfinished Symphony.” Dr.
Barry Cooper, a Beethoven scholar, completed its fragments (sketches) and released the result in 1988, which sent the world into a frenzy.
Please enjoy the Andante that includes Dr.
Barry Cooper’s reconstruction of those fragments.
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight,” 3rd movementLudwig van Beethoven
Commonly known as the “Moonlight,” Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No.
14 is one of his signature works.
The third movement is filled with passion and tension, characterized by a very fast tempo and dramatic development.
Composed in 1801, it is highly regarded as a piece in which Beethoven innovated the piano sonata form.
The opening arpeggios, which race upward like sparks, are electrifyingly cool—and once you hear them, they’re seared into your memory.
Although it demands a high level of technical skill from performers, its fierce energy overwhelms listeners.
It remains one of the most popular and beloved pieces in classical music.
[Beethoven] Picking Up Masterpieces and Signature Works! (31–40)
Turkish MarchLudwig van Beethoven
Famous as a standalone piano miniature, the “Turkish March” was originally one of the numbers from the overture The Ruins of Athens.
With its duple meter that readily evokes a marching army, it’s a piano piece beloved by children as well.
It’s such a fun piece that you can’t help but tap your feet.
Symphony No. 3 “Eroica”Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven’s Symphony No.
3, widely known as the “Eroica,” is a symphony completed in 1804.
Amid the post–French Revolution world, inspired by Beethoven’s sympathy for Napoleon, it was composed as a work in his honor.
It was a revolutionary piece that transformed the symphony from music performed for the privileged classes in aristocratic salons into music played for the public in urban concert halls, and it was a groundbreaking masterpiece that greatly expanded the expressive possibilities of instrumental music.
moonlightLudwig van Beethoven
It gives a different impression from Debussy’s Clair de Lune.
Rather than a brilliantly shining moon, this feels more like a moon emerging from between the clouds, gradually beginning to cast its light.
The fine-grained depiction strikes me as very Beethoven-like.
Six Écossaises No. 1Ludwig van Beethoven
This is a Scottish-style dance characterized by a lively 2/4 rhythm.
Composed in 1806 for solo piano, it has a bright, approachable character, packing Beethoven’s trademark humor and playfulness into a short piece.
Though the overall performance time is a concise two and a half minutes, its energetic melody—suited to the style of men and women dancing face-to-face—is especially appealing.
Written for performance in salons and homes, it is ideal for piano students.
There are also arrangements by notable musicians such as Ferruccio Busoni and Carl Reinecke, allowing it to be enjoyed with a variety of instrumental ensembles.
Six Ecossaises No. 3Ludwig van Beethoven
A dance piece characterized by a lively 2/4 meter and an appealing Scottish flavor.
Composed in Vienna in 1806 for social dancing, it features a bright, energetic melody that leaves a strong impression.
Its accessible structure makes it easy for anyone to enjoy, with numerous touches designed to integrate smoothly into piano practice.
It has even been selected as a Grade 3 piece for the ABRSM exams, underscoring its educational value.
Imagining the atmosphere of a dance party while playing will make the performance even more enjoyable.
It’s an ideal piece for those just starting the piano or beginning to take an interest in classical music.