Beethoven - Sonata in A Op. 2 no. 2, 1st mvt.

[lmpianist]

I'm learning this now and decided to record part of it.  I guess it's not one of the more commonly heard Beethoven sonatas, but I like it!

[electrodoc]

Only had time to listen once so not able to offer any constructive comments.

General impression was excellent. Some nice shading and phrasing. Good clear runs (tricky these!). Didn't quite hear the grace notes in the development section. Would be interested to learn how you deal with these as I am learning this sonata myself and having some problem with this section.

Very nice performance!

[omgtifb]

I thought that was remarkable!  Thanks.  Is that a digital piano? 

[Nightscape]

Those grace notes in the development are a huge pain.  I've played this sonata for a year now and I still am struggling with them (I guess that means I'm doing it wrong!).

One thing that I noticed however, is that the right hand isn't really the problem, its the left hand.  After a sufficient amount of practice with the right hand, the grace notes themselves shouldn't present a problem if you are using the right fingering (use 4-5 for the top ends of the leaps, instead of 5-5).  Keeping track of the jumps in the left hand while trying to focus on the left hand is what messes me up.   You have to be able to play the left hand entirely without watching it flawlessly in this section for it to work.

There is nothing else in this entire sonata (all movements included) more difficult.  In fact, it is the hardest spot in all of the op.2 piano sonatas, in my opinion.

[jlh]

I agree with the other posts.  You have a beautiful sound and I love the consistency you have throughout.  The notes are there and you have a good understanding of the form.

I would say your next task is to get into the character of the piece.  It needs more excitement!  Show us how fun this piece is to play, and make it much more playful in the major keys. 

It maybe should go a bit faster in my opinion, but that will come with time... don't push it all at once.

Part of the excitement part is playing with more flair, meaning the staccatos should be crisper and shorter, and the dynamics should be more "spontanious" if you will, especially the loud parts that are there for effect, like the descending loud pentascales and the LH arpeggios starting at measure 203 that remind me of a Spanish guitar strumming.  This is early Beethoven, full of life and youthfulness.

In measure 58 (after the Rall.) I would not take but maybe a couple measures to get to the original tempo, and definitely get there by measure 62. 

You've got the piece in your hands -- now sell it to us! 

Great job!

Josh

[piano121]

Very good performance. I guess it´s a digital piano. Wich one is it?

[lmpianist]

thanks for the comments - yes the grace notes do need work, since they're practically non-existent in the recording, lol    The piano is a Yamaha CLP-220 set to nearly the highest reverb depth setting for added effect.  Unfortunately I don't have access to a recording studio with decent acoustics at the moment

[totallyclassics]

I'm no expert, but I LOVED IT!!   I thought it was fast enough, but I do agree it could have been just slightly more playful in some parts......I LOVED ALL OF IT THOUGH! 
Sounded just like Beethoven, with a hint of Mozart from time to time!! Imagine that!

KEEP THE RECORDINGS COMING!!!  LOVED IT!

I love the sound of the Yamaha.   I had a P-200 before I got my Yamaha Grand.
I am really amazed at the dynamics and reverb you acheived with the digital!   

[goldentone]

Very good!  There's maturity in your playing.

[verywellmister]

I've played this piece, too!
unfortunately not as well as you do...

You handle the virtuosic passages and play with grace.  Congrats.