Beethoven's pianoforte sonatas explained for the lovers of the musical art; translated from the German by Emily Hill

A small work "Clavier-Sonaten fiir Freunde der Tonkunst erlautert von Ernst von Elterlein" dedicated to Beethoven stands out as an honorable exception among the many tasteless commentaries on the works of the great master - many explanations that explain nothing. Elterlein's book appeared in Leipzig in 1856. Since this year, she has gained great and well-deserved popularity in Germany. Although Herr von Elterlein is a music lover, he writes with mature knowledge and a deep understanding of the practical musician; and since the merits of his book speak for themselves, further praise will be redundant. The book by Herr von Elterlein is intended not so much to describe the beauties of Beethoven's sonatas, but to draw the performer's attention to these beauties and point out the leading and characteristic features of each individual work. Beethoven was destined to express in his sonatas the highest and highest feelings of the human heart. In these unapproachable masterpieces, he is not only pathetic, but also sincere, humorous, gentle, graceful, simple - in a word, he expresses in them all shades of feelings that can excite the human heart. To highlight all these different shades, to point out to the serious student of Beethoven all these innumerable beauties - that is the purpose of Herr von Elterlein's book; and every music student or amateur can safely trust him as a competent and pleasant guide. Therefore, an English translation of this valuable little work is most appropriate. This will undoubtedly help many lovers of Beethoven's music more keenly appreciate the beauty of the great master's sonatas and, if possible, increase his admiration for what can truly be called a book of wisdom.