Tilman Skowroneck is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southampton, and is also a freelance harpsichordist and fortepianist. His main area of interest is the early piano, its construction and its repertoire. This is his first book.

'This book is essential reading for anyone who wants the latest research on Beethoven's piano playing, plus a comprehensive collection of all the significant documentation relating to this subject. There should be a copy in every major library and on the bookshelves of all pianists who wish to play Beethoven's music in the way he envisaged.' Barry Cooper, University of Manchester

• Introduction; Part I. Beethoven, his Playing and his Instruments: 1. Beethoven's early training; 2. Beethoven the pianist; 3. Beethoven's first decade in Vienna; 4. The 1803 Érard Grand Piano; Part II. Sound Ideal and Performance: 5. The builder's influence; 6. The player's influence; Part III. Sound Ideal, Notation and Stylistic Change: 7. Common touch and legato; 8. The performance of Beethoven's trills; Epilogue; Bibliography.

Tilman Skowroneck is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southampton, and is also a freelance harpsichordist and fortepianist. His main area of interest is the early piano, its construction and its repertoire. This is his first book.

'This book is essential reading for anyone who wants the latest research on Beethoven's piano playing, plus a comprehensive collection of all the significant documentation relating to this subject. There should be a copy in every major library and on the bookshelves of all pianists who wish to play Beethoven's music in the way he envisaged.' Barry Cooper, University of Manchester

• Introduction; Part I. Beethoven, his Playing and his Instruments: 1. Beethoven's early training; 2. Beethoven the pianist; 3. Beethoven's first decade in Vienna; 4. The 1803 Érard Grand Piano; Part II. Sound Ideal and Performance: 5. The builder's influence; 6. The player's influence; Part III. Sound Ideal, Notation and Stylistic Change: 7. Common touch and legato; 8. The performance of Beethoven's trills; Epilogue; Bibliography.

Tilman Skowroneck is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southampton, and is also a freelance harpsichordist and fortepianist. His main area of interest is the early piano, its construction and its repertoire. This is his first book.

'This book is essential reading for anyone who wants the latest research on Beethoven's piano playing, plus a comprehensive collection of all the significant documentation relating to this subject. There should be a copy in every major library and on the bookshelves of all pianists who wish to play Beethoven's music in the way he envisaged.' Barry Cooper, University of Manchester

• Introduction; Part I. Beethoven, his Playing and his Instruments: 1. Beethoven's early training; 2. Beethoven the pianist; 3. Beethoven's first decade in Vienna; 4. The 1803 Érard Grand Piano; Part II. Sound Ideal and Performance: 5. The builder's influence; 6. The player's influence; Part III. Sound Ideal, Notation and Stylistic Change: 7. Common touch and legato; 8. The performance of Beethoven's trills; Epilogue; Bibliography.