The Beethoven Sonatas and the Creative Experience

The definitive study of Beethoven’s piano sonatas is “remarkable as an insider’s account of the works in an individual perspective.” ( European Music Teacher )   In “one of the most interesting, useful and even exciting books on the process of musical creation” ( American Music Teacher ), Kenneth O. Drake groups the Beethoven piano sonatas according to their musical qualities, rather than their chronology. He explores the interpretive implications of rhythm, dynamics, slurs, harmonic effect