Beethoven L. Sonata No 6. Op. 10, No. 2

When publishing Beethoven's sonatas in the Pianist’s Golden Repertoire, а universal series aimed at students, teachers and concert-giving musicians, the publishers decided to use the edition by Alexander Goldenweiser (1875–1961). This edition has а long established and distinguished reputation. It is close to the original text and thus frees Beethoven’s music from the many accretions, perhaps interesting in their own way and in their own time, but which to а certain extent blurred the composer's intent. This relates first of all to the matter of slurs; Goldenweiser reproduces them exactly as marked by Beethoven. The designation of ornaments is also retained — in the music the ornaments аrе interpreted in accordance with performance practice of Beethoven's time. Beethoven too rarely indicated pedal and fingering. Goldenweiser's meticulous pedal and fingering markings reflect his own experience as а pianist. Indeed, his own comment on the subject wasm “.. pedalling is а living creative act, which changes at every performance... one must not forget that the art of pedalling is first and foremost the art of playing the piano without the pedal”. The fundamental value of Goldenweiser's edition are the subtle observations on the details of the music equally useful for teachers and performers.