Für Elise, also known as Bagatelle No 25 in A minor (WoO 59 and Bia 515) for solo piano, is one of Ludwig van Beethoven‘s most popular compositions. It was not published during his lifetime, only being discovered (by Ludwig Nohl) forty years after his death, and may be termed either a Bagatelle or an Albumblatt. The unaccompanied oscillation between the dominant E and its chromatic lower neighbor D-sharp that begins the melody has become one of the most recognizable openings in classical music. The identity of “Elise” is unknown; researchers have suggested Therese Malfatti, Elisabeth Röckel or Elise Barensfeld.
Für Elise Best Performances on YouTube
Although ‘best’ can only be subjective, the five selected performances feature renowned classical pianists whose interpretations truly highlight the beauty of Für Elise.
Lang Lang (Video Clip)
There are several YouTube videos of Lang Lang performing Für Elise. You can also hear the Chinese pianist play Beethoven’s Appassionata Sonata and the Fifth Piano Concerto, the Emperor.
Ivo Pogorelich
Born in Belgrade in 1958, to a Croatian father and a Serbian mother, Ivo Pogorelich became a Croatian citizen after the breakup of Yugoslavia. In 1980 he entered the X International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw but was eliminated in the third round, prompting juror Martha Argerich to resign from the jury in protest, calling Pogorelić a “genius”. Pogorelić gave his debut recital in New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1981.
Alfred Brendel
Alfred Brendel (5 January 1931 – 17 June 2025) was a Czech-born Austrian classical pianist, poet, author, composer and lecturer, based in London. He was the first pianist to record Beethoven’s complete works for solo piano. There are many recordings of him playing Für Elise on YouTube. You can also watch him play Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto, the Emperor and his last three piano sonatas.
Wilhelm Kempff
Wilhelm Kempff (25 November 1895 – 23 May 1991) was a German pianist, teacher and composer, particularly well known for his interpretations of the music of Ludwig van Beethoven, recording the complete sonatas. There are several YouTube videos of him performing Für Elise, but you can also watch and listen to him playing Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto or the Sonata No. 14, the Moonlight.
Alice Sara Ott
Alice Sara Ott was born in Munich, Germany, in 1988. Her Japanese mother had studied piano in Tokyo, and she started piano lessons at the age of four. You can watch and listen to her play Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto on YouTube.
Video with Score
Lang Lang
Other Music Instrument than Piano
Für Elise, originally composed for solo piano by Ludwig van Beethoven, has inspired numerous transcriptions for other instruments, allowing it to reach an even wider audience. Versions exist for violin, guitar, flute, string orchestra, and chamber ensembles.
Some transcriptions stay very close to the original score, while others offer creative adaptations, adding harmonies or redistributing the melody among different instruments. These arrangements give musicians from various backgrounds the opportunity to explore and interpret this iconic classical piece in new ways, while preserving the instantly recognizable charm of the main theme.
Guitar
To play Für Elise on the guitar, you can rely on a tablature or sheet music. These musical documents serve as a guide, telling you exactly which strings and frets to pluck to reproduce the notes of the melody.
There isn’t one single way to interpret this piece on the guitar, which makes learning accessible at all levels. Simplified versions are specially designed for beginners, focusing on the basic melodies and essential chords like A minor (Am). Conversely, more complex arrangements are available for more experienced musicians, including advanced techniques and nuances.
You can easily find a multitude of resources to help you in your learning journey, particularly on websites specializing in guitar instruction. They break down the piece into different parts, making it easier to memorize and progressively practice the song.
Beethoven Meets Flamenco – 40 Fingers
Für Elise on One Guitar – Marcin
Cello
Lola & Hauser
Organ
Nicholas Hill Music
String Quartet
Danish String Quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble consisting of four instruments: two violins, one viola, and one cello. It is one of the most important and widely used formations in classical chamber music, allowing for a rich interplay of melodies, harmonies, and textures among the instruments.
