Pianist Henrik Kilhamn takes on this monster of a piece. Beethoven returns to the roots of Bach and counterpoint and fuses it with his typical dramatic charge in this movement from his late period. The music is so intense with extreme dynamic contrasts and fugato treatment of the core motif. Every note matters in this struggle for survival on earth.

0:23 Introduction

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn looks at Kinderszenen and especially no. 7 Träumerei, one of Robert Schumann's most loved melodies. There is a dreaminess present in the whole cycle, feeding a nostalgic element of looking back and remembering these poignant states of childhood.

Introduction: 0:31

To close the Pathétique sonata, Beethoven writes a fast-paced Allegro in Rondo form. The theme is like static electricity, jumping between smaller objects, and throughout the movement we are treated to various adventures in the different episodes. As always your guide Henrik Kilhamn at the piano.

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn reflects on the 2nd movement of Beethoven's famous Pathétique sonata, Op. 13. The theme in the "Adagio cantabile" is one of Beethoven's sweetest melodies, and we can enjoy just floating along those long legato lines.  

Introduction, Analysis (1:00) and Performance (12.50)

Beethoven took the sonata form from Mozart and Haydn and developed it in a revolutionary way, turning his sonatas into epic tales. The Pathétiqe sonata Op. 13 is a hallmark in the repertoire (Pathétiqe referring to "emotional" rather than the "pathetic"), and in this video Henrik Kilhamn goes through the first movement section by section and explains how they fit in the larger scheme of things.

Introduction and analysis (2:04)

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn presents the worlds most known classical piano piece: Beethoven's Fur Elise. It's a true musical gem with its soothing theme evolving from just those two notes, and well balanced with two episodes of different character inbetween the returning theme.

Introduction and analysis (1:18)

It's ironic that Chopin's most famous work, the Fantaisie-Impromptu, wasn't published during his lifetime. Today we actually have several different versions of it: the first edition by Chopin's friend Julian Fontana in 1855, recent Urtext editions that have removed Fontana's own additions, and one version based on a manuscript acquired by Rubinstein in 1962. 

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn goes through this fantastic piece of music that fits so well under the fingers, and points out where the versions differ. The stormy agitato sections give way to a lyrical cantabile middle section which posess all the sweetness but none of the melancholy of a Nocturne.

Introduction: 0:23

Analysis: 3.16

Performance: 15.52

Chopin's Funeral march, the slow movement from his 2nd sonata Op. 35, stands out as an archetype for such an occasion - but what is it about the music that makes it that way? Pianist Henrik Kilhamn finds out in this episode by going through the piece one section at a time. There is also another famous march from the film score repertoire that uses the same chords!

Analysis and performance (11:38)

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn takes on the second movement in Scriabin's sparkling piano sonata no. 2, Op. 19, titled "Sonata-Fantasy". It's a turbo fast Presto with a never-ending stram of notes, a Moto Perpetuo. The form is a kind of Sonata-Rondo, alternating the cascading waves with a developmental, legato section without ever losing its intensity.

Analysis and performance (13.03)

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn goes through the first movement of Scriabin's amazing piano sonata no. 2, op. 19 titled "Sonata-Fantasy". There are two sides to the music: one firm, gripping statement of a signal reoccuring throughout the movement, the other completely opposite of free-floating, improvisational bliss. The two characters are juxtaposed in the middle and are developed in some genius ways of piano writing.

Analysis and performance (23:51)