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Beethoven op. 2/1

Discussion in 'Submission Room' started by Jan, Jun 4, 2016.

  1. Jan

    Jan Member Piano Society Artist

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    Hello again!

    as already announced, here is my recording of Beethovens F-minor-sonata. It was done last year on a Steinway Concert grand piano; unfortunately the room was rather small, so the reverb is artificial. The second movement (and I am a little proud of that) was done in one take.

    Comments welcome!
     

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    Jan, Jun 4, 2016
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  2. andrew

    andrew Administrator Staff Member Piano Society Artist

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    I used to play this sonata, so have taken the liberty of listening without score. I thought you captured the Haydn-ish playfulness well; there are also good contrasts of dynamics. I liked the way the left hand was brought out in the first movement. Good articulation in the fourth movement - I remember finding it tricky to be consistent and precise with this.

    The only quibbles I can spot are -

    1st movement: if one is to be really fussy, a few turns sounded slightly loose at the ends. More importantly, the rest at about 11s seems much longer than I remember it being (easy to edit if it is, of course).
    3rd movement: I felt there was a shift in tempo at 2.30 after the midsection (join between takes at slightly different tempi, perhaps?)
    4th movement: the trill at 6.05

    A good, clean rendition, and one which gives me a fair indication of your ideas about Beethoven. I think your view is probably a little more introverted than mine, but then again, this isn't the Appassionata, and your view seems internally consistent and makes musical sense to me.
     
    andrew, Jun 5, 2016
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  3. Vladimir Oppenheim

    Vladimir Oppenheim Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    Hi Jan,
    I like your recording of Beethoven's F minor sonata! The sound is "pointed"& focused, but at the same time deep & rounded. I could hear very clearly a good, natural phrasing & perfect control over detalis like articulation, dynamic and tempo. I liked your ability to give a "distinct role" to various voices, musical lines or different layers of music texture!
    Sometime, particularly in the Finale I felt that you were constraining yourslelf; motions towards culminations were a bit shy, as if overly "calculated". I understand, however that limitations of a very fast & light left hand's material would make such an addition of "drama" quite challenging.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Best regards,
    Vladimir
     
    Vladimir Oppenheim, Jun 6, 2016
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  4. MarkieUK

    MarkieUK Member Piano Society Artist

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    Hi, I too have played this sonata (or most of it). I listened to the first movement. A very good rendition, so any criticism is just going to be minor niggles. I like the speed (good two in the bar feel) and the way you bring out the important sforzando accents. There are nice expressive contrasts. On the niggles side, that rest near the beginning does seem overlong, and I feel you could have slowed down a bit during the con espressione sections, as this provides a nice counterpoint to the previous angular arpeggio sections.
     
    MarkieUK, Jun 13, 2016
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  5. Francois de Larrard

    Francois de Larrard Administrator Staff Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    Hello Jan,
    I have downloaded your sonata and I could listen to it several times in my car, without the score, but better than nothing ! Beautiful job... I like the classic approach, which perfectly suits this type of young Beethoven. As the others, I was just surprised by your very long rest at the beginning of the first movement. But, unless the repeat is just a copy-paste of the first section, we hear twice this long rest so that I think you really wanted to play it so long... But it is a very minor reservation in an otherwise beautiful and very professional rendition. Congratulations and thanks for the pleasure you gave to me !
     
    Francois de Larrard, Jun 19, 2016
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