Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Finally memorized moonlight sonata 1st movement

Finally, I can play it without the sheet music!!!

Need to do it a few more times to be really confident, but I am quite pleased with myself this evening.

Nice playing the new piano without the music desk as well.

When are we going to get to hear it Michael D?

congratulations Michael that's quite an accomplishment. Will you also attempt the other two movements? I hear the third is a real bear to play.

Well done, congrats!

May I ask what tempo do you normally use? I have tried the fast Gould's playing and also medium and slow. I think I go for medium, but I notice that the same performer will change the tempo on different occasions. Mood related?

Not trying to start a "fight" about tempo, just curious because it's such a popular piece that is played in so many different speeds.


Fast - G Gould
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr8j8O9uzx4


Medium
W Kempff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6txOvK-mAk&list=RDr6YCSeeMN4I

V Horowitz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6YCSeeMN4I

V Lisitsa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHd8jwXBzXE



Slow - P Nagy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-MT5zeY6CU

András Schiff has pretty convincing arguments for a faster tempo being correct in his Guardian lecture on the Sonata. It's definitely worth listening to.

Unfortunately, because of some boneheaded comments he makes in other lectures, I have to take his statements with a massive grain of salt. But this did seem like a pretty good argument to me:

Andras Schiff Beethoven Lectures (Guardian)


I may change my mind later but I'm still determined not to tackle this Sonata until I am ready for the third movement (Presto agitato.)

Thanks for the link. Well, if Beethoven himself wrote it, that's it.

You really have a strong mind and self control! I couldn't wait as I still cannot see myself ever playing the 3rd movement. Actually the 1st movement was the first thing I learned to play (terribly, btw). I'm only now getting to put the right accents and making it sound right... or trying...

earlofmar, you can hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4b-PHPuwiM (Brendel's is my favorite recording).

I'll tackle the second movement after a few other pieces I'm working on. I think it's very easy to underestimate its difficulty. The third I think will sit on the shelf for a while, perhaps a long while, but I do want to try it someday.

I've listened to Gould's piece, it's too fast for my tastes, but it was useful to hear it sound so different while learning it. I probably play at a similar tempo to Brendel. Nagy's performance linked above is nice, but it does feel a bit slow. To me, this is supposed to be a sad piece, a feeling of unrequited longing throughout, which too fast a tempo ruins.

Before I'd take the plunge and post a video, I want to tighten up the tempo to make sure I'm a bit more consistent throughout. My piano teacher has bamboozled me into thinking it's a good idea to play this at a recital she's holding this summer.

Wow that is awesome! I know the feeling of accomplishment that comes with that piece. Well done!

Just a thought, Michael.
Would you consider presenting in the May quarterly recital?

I have 2nd movement earmarked for this recital. Perhaps we could correspond to ensure matched together. Maybe wear same shirts .

At any rate, nice work. Look forward to hearing.

Good luck with the recital, though Summer must seem a long way off at the moment.

I have been learning this piece somewhat in secret. My piano teacher expressed she didn't like it and I hope to surprise her after our summer break. She is either going to love it or hate it all the more depending on how well I can fumble through it.

Greener, I'm game. What's the procedure, record and then post it? What's the guideline for mistakes - should one just decide on a performance and post regardless or do a few and cherry pick the best one? I prefer the former approach (barring some catastrophe like the dogs starting to bark) - make it as real (ie live) as possible.

Well done!

Sweet.Yes.Yes.

Whatever your style preference I am sure it will be great.

The February recital will open (call for submissions) on February 1st. You can see the process with this recital if not already familiar or participating.

For the May recital, we should be ready with our recordings (sound files) by May 1st.

When recital opens we can watch performance entries so, we can target the uploads for somewhere around the 12-20 range if this sounds OK for you. Will be in touch again later, of course.

... wondering now if there could be any other takers out there for the 3rd.

Haha. I wish I could join you guys. I'm working on the 3rd movement now but I'm sure it will still be in quite hideous form in May. today I practiced moving my fingers as little as possible over certain passages. Has me feeling back at square one! But I think it may be necessary for increasing the tempo.

Oh and dogs barking does not constitute a catastrophe for an ABF recital recording! Dogs barking, children crying, crows cawing, trains going by....all such things and more are acceptable.