Ludwig van Beethoven
1770 - 1827
One of Beethoven's signature innovations of the keyboard was the restoration of the bass-line.
The left-hand was equal to that of the right-hand in many early works by masters such as
J.S. Bach, however, the Mozartian method of melody and accompaniment texture was dominant
when Beethoven was composing. Beethoven often gave the left-hand interesting counter-melodies,
taking advantage of the improved bass sound of the pianos of his time, altering the course of
piano writing.
More than any pianist, Beethoven was impatient with the piano's inadequacies. He continually
wrote beyond the piano's capacities, forcing the piano evolve. In 1818, Broadwood sent Beethoven
his most magnificent and wide-ranging piano, and in a few years, Beethoven both reduced the piano
to ruin and produce amazing works, despite his deafness. Like Liszt, Beethoven's
destructive tendencies pushed producers to look for ways to make the piano stronger and more durable. Examples of Beethovenís use of new piano technology is the Fourth Piano concerto. Its second movement
calls for the use of a true una corda pedal, which existed since
the early 1700's, but was substantially improved during Beethoven's life. Additionally, The 'Waldstein Sonata' (op. 53) shows
exploits the wide dynamics now possible, often with bewildering contrasts and includes a large section marked to be played with
damper pedal for the entire length, a feat that would not have succeeded years earlier.
It is nearly impossible to replicate performance of these pieces today as the pedals have changed substantially since
Beethoven's time.