Some time ago, I posted a recording of the 1st movement from a small recital. Yesterday, I finally recorded the whole sonata at home. I will let it rest for a while now, but music as this is lifetime work-in-progress of course, and therefore comments and criticism are very welcome.
Lovely. Very lyrical. And the first movement was a big step up from the previous recording. Great energy and phrasing in the second movement. The adagio ma non troppo was a little troppo I thought, but that's a matter of taste. A joy to listen to.
Thank you so much for listening also to this new recording, Heather! I also think it has improved, compared to the previous recording of the first movement, though of course there would be still a lot to work on. But for now, it's time to let it rest for a while... I'll think of your comment about the adagio when I'll come back to the piece.
I thought you did a wonderful job with this. I haven't had time to listen or comment on much lately but your performance was very compelling and I had to stay until the end. I am not able to make any suggestion for you because I really have no expertise with Beethoven's music. But I think it's fair to say you will grow into this over time. It's got tremendous potential.
Hi pianovirus, I have been listening to your Beethoven right before, and now I want to express my deep respect for what you are doing with this terribly difficult masterwork. Of course I would have many remarks, questions.... but this is not the main thing! I can feel lots of sensitivity and love, and behind all this lots of knowledge. And the result is a very remarkable version which makes Beethoven "speak to us"!
Sometimes you have a painful look on your face that doesn't really match the music.
There are many painful moments in this beautiful score, for example the "Adagio" movement has been called "Klagegesang" by Beethoven himself. So the face may definitely be a "mirror" of this. Anyway, good and precious music is never funny, that's what already Schubert said.... And if you don't like what you see, just close your eyes and listen
P.S. I have to correct myself: Beethoven called the Adagio "Klagender Gesang" and (in Italian) "Arioso dolente". This doesn't change the meaning, I simply want to be precise
Hi Pathbreaker, Tony, and phantomFive - sorry for the late reply! Thanks for listening to all of you, and for the encouraging comments.
phantomFive, there is, as Tony also mentions, a lot of pain, not only in the Arioso dolente sections. The first movement may seem quite serene, but there for me the predominant feeling is "Wehmut" (woefulness?). Of course this shows up in the music, but it does not have to show up in facial expressions. However, I can't control it anyways and so I have stopped worrying about this aspect of my playing.
What a fantastic piece of music - Wow!! You play so very melodiously. You bring out Beethoven's genius and music beautifully from start to finish - to start, it's complex, playful, soft-spoken, large, so very musical and natural the way you play. Thank you for your music Glen
wow, thank you so much for that nice feedback! For those who know the piece well it is obvious that there are still a ton of "rough edges", especially in the third movement. But good to hear that you enjoyed it already as it is! I really love this sonata...
