Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner My beethoven sonata recording trying again

http://www.speedyshare.com/836696659.html it worked this time for this link

"This is a recording of me playing the Beethoven op. 2 no. 1 piano sonata first movement. In my defense I recorded this and a few other things close to 3 years ago. But I am looking for people's honest opinions.

Jeffrey "

Possilby could use a bit more in the melodic lines in places. I think it is alright to not necessarily play everything so precise to the metronome, and as Mozart suggested, letting the right hand fall behind the left hand at times. This adds to the drama of the music, and as an added benefit, it distracts the listener from any incidental mistakes. By playing metronomically, the listener hears the mistakes easier (and you are more likely to make them). I do appreciate you posting your clip, however. These suggestions aren't meant to be damaging in any way, but to help make your performances be even better.

Thank you for your reply Morodiene. I see what you are talking about and see what I can do with it. Thats why I posted this, so that i could get feedback. Thanks again!

You have good musicianship and maturity in your playing you do not loose fire in it either that is beethoven. But you lack control here. Your playing sounds worn out.

A sheep could play Beethoven better. And has! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4NEbU_YkZw

So my playing is fluffy?? thats a new one. I am usually told that im playing to hard

I think BeethovenVirus just wanted an excuse to post that url. :p

There were many things that you did just beautifully---for example your crisp staccatto, and your descending runs which were very fluid and even.

Overall this was a very, very fine performance, but as Morodiene points out, it is a little too precise. A bit of rubato here and there would add variety and drama. Otherwise, it tends to sound a bit stiff.

You have all the hard work behind you. Now to work a bit on intrepretation, and you will have a much improved presentation. Gaby Tu

I remember when I made this recording I already had several performances of the piece. The one issue I had personally was trying to decide how much to put behind it. I wonder how I will take to Beethoven now. I have spent the time since working on that particular sonata playing Mozart Sonatas. I am now starting the 18th Beethoven sonata. The question I had then was how romantic should I be. My mistake then was assuming romantic and classical are different ways of playing. Now I feel different on the subject.
Originally what I was considering was that this was early beethoven and therefore should be more akin to Hayden or Mozart. This to was a mistake because as I have learned, Beethoven is always Beethoven. I played this in a masterclass for Gilla Goldstien. (spelling?) I was a student at the University of Evansville. I remember her telling me about the key of this piece and that it is the same key as the appasionata. She did not tell me to go overboard but said that some feelings are the same. The first sonata was more of a preview of what was to come in the appasionata.

I feel I failed that in that recording. Of course Hindsight is always 20/20. It is amazing how my interpretation ideals have changed.

Anyway I am babbling...


PS... I want to continue to apologize about my horrendous writting. It is something that I was never great at. I do try, I am just not good with it. I am slowly improving though. I worry because it does not reflect well on me. So far in college I have been required to take a few english classes even in my major. I passed with a b- or C average. I believe that I am improving in this area though, but that it is just slow because it is not a talent of mine.

Antoher thing to note is that Mozart did not play the way most people play Mozart today, and the same goes for Beethoven, Haydn, and even Bach. There is a different aesthetic now that demands more metronomic playing, so I don't blame you for that. The key is to be flexible and know your audience. When playing for the general public, use rubato and hands-not-together. When playing for a judge, not so much.

I might differ from your reasoning here. I would say that one should adopt a style of playing that one feels is appropriate to the music and to what one knows and feels about historical performance practice vs. modern realizations of Classical scores. Once the 'juste milieu' has been found, stick with it. Have the courage of your convictions and be convincing in the way you play the piece, but be consistent, whatever your audience.

Regards,

Well, I personalyl agree with what you say, but then again, I'm not in competitions either. If I were, I'd play how I know hte music should be played, as I know Mozart used rubato. But then I just wouldn't expect to win.

I don't mind that your tempo is strict, and I like that it's crisp and a little dramatic.

But thinking of this as contemporary with a Mozart sonata I think you lack a bit of elegance - the fortissimos are too hard and the softer parts should be a little more galant, you need to play with a little more sensitivity. (and I guess a little rubato will come naturally from that)


But remember I can't play, just listen

Ragnhild