A Study Of The Performance Version Of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Op.109

Beethoven,a German composer and pianist of the Classical period,is known as one of the greatest musicians of all time,and his Thirty-two Piano Sonatas are both a legacy of classical music and a display of his unique compositional style,spirituality and German classical philosophy.The Piano Sonata Op.109,one of his late piano works,has been performed by many pianists and analysed by some scholars from different perspectives.This study chooses a new perspective-the study of versions-by selecting versions performed by two performers of different piano schools,Wilhelm Backhaus(Germany)and Giles(Russia),to analyse the differences between the performances of the two pianists and the reasons for these differences.The first part is the introduction,which introduces the source and significance of the thesis,the current state of research at home and abroad,and the research methodology;the second part is the analysis of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Op.109,which focuses on Beethoven’s life and its compositional characteristics,the background of the late piano sonata composition and the analysis of the structure of the piece;the third part is the comparative study of the performance versions of Backhaus and Gilles.The fourth part is a comparative study of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Op.109,mainly in terms of its interpretation and application in piano performance practice.The fifth part is a concluding statement,which further summarises and concludes this study.It is hoped that the conclusions drawn from the comparative study will provide reference and assistance to performers of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Op.109,and that a more comprehensive understanding and appreciation will be gained.