please give me advise on Beethoven Pathetique op13

[dora96]

I have recorded Beethoven Pathetique, 3 movement, I made some mistakes, please give me any advise, comments  very welcome  on this piece. I am still learning it thanks

[shortyshort]

I can only really comment on Mvt III, as I don't play the others. 

It sounds Great.

A little more "Dolce" on the "Dolce" bits. 

I've not heard the repeat very near the end before. 

Otherwise, I wish that I could play it that well. 

Well done. 

[totallyclassics]

Sounds awesome!    I thought since you were working on this, you might want to see and hear another pianists........ one of my teachers!   She is incredible and just posted on You Tube.     I've given you the link to part of the first movement, (the longer recording, as the first they cut off after only 2 minutes and this has everything that the first one did!  VERY expressive.   Thought you might enjoy it!
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvyLyUBMpbs

[pianowolfi]

1st mvt: I think that you can play very well in terms of fingerwork, but I think you neglect most of the overall phrases and dynamic processes. You could use more pedal and more "sound" in general, it sounds a bit dry and wooden. Think more with the overall shape and development and less "bar after bar". Beethoven's dynamic signs are so important. And often you play just the notes and I hear not enough dynamics throughout the piece. From the pp whisper until the ff scream there is everything in this piece. And, well I just don't hear it. all the sfz and cresc. and subito p and pp, all the dramatic expressions, where are they? The tensions and resolutions? The suffering and delight? The "Pathos"? (Which is not "pathetic" of course, it's something totally different, look for the Greek origin)


2nd mvt.: Your melody could sing more and could be more separated from the accompaniment. I think you get too stuck within the single counts of a bar instead of thinking in greater slurs/phrases.

Well of course if you were my student I could much better explain practically how and where and what. I hear many single things that need to be worked out, like these a bit abrupt gaps between the 32nd notes and the following dotted sixteenths in the Grave section.


Btw the cuckoo clock is funny

Trust in your fingers, they work fine, think more about the music and your feelings 

[tompilk]

great recording. quality isnt too good but i can still tell it's a great performance. more feeling than i put into it...
I uploaded the last two movements of me playing it here, with some Ives if you're that way inclined:
http://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,28305.0.html
The quality on movt 2 isnt great because it's live at a school concert. The 3d movt i had to record on a 76 key digital piano for the other, so the dynamics and resonance are no-where near what im used to, but anyway...

[gerryjay]

hey dora!

 i only heard the first movement cause i'm in a hurry here.  anyway, i have to post to say that you play it very well. i would say to you that i only felt the absence of some brightness in it, specially in the first thematic region, but pianowolfi said it all. i second him in a request for more contrast, more dynamic exploration. you have it done, now let herr beethoven speak through you.

 as soon as i can hear it complete (and in a better speaker) i'll post another impressions.

 btw, i plan to start studying this sonata later this year. thanks for the inspiration! 

[shortyshort]

more dynamic exploration. you have it done, now let hear beethoven speak through you.

Same for Mvt III.

Now that you obviously know the notes, play the music from your heart not the score. 

Listen to CD recordings of it, a lot. 

Feel the emotion. 

[tompilk]

Same for Mvt III.

Now that you obviously know the notes, play the music from your heart not the score. 

Listen to CD recordings of it, a lot. 

Feel the emotion. 

i think listening to cds has made me worse! it makes you try to imitate, and that means that you end up listening for the sound you want to make rather than the sound you are actually making...

[dora96]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all your comment. I have posted this recording almost a month, at first, no one has left me any comment. I thought I have played it so bad that no one bother to comment it. I am glad to see you guys. I know this piece is far from perfect. In fact, I just had my lesson last week. My teacher whines about this piece. The first movement, it is hard voicing the chords on the first page, and I find that I get really tired especially I need to do the repeat. When I get to  the end, it is dangerous bit, it seems like I am about falling apart. My teacher said the 3rd movement, it is the hardest, because it looks easy, but triplet is hard to control. I do agree that the more I listen to CD, the worse I get, because I am trying to copy the sound and dynamic. I don't know much about recording, I wish I could record better without other sound from outside. This is my exam piece, I hope I will post new recording before my exam. The good thing is one of my teacher's student got an distinction from the exam. Obviously, my teacher knows what she is teaching. I haven't studies for 9 years since I got my Grade 8. It just wonderful I find this forum, and we can support one another. You know. I can never talk to my teacher about my thought and concern and study problem to her. In the lesson, I just work on the piece to get as much information as possible  because time is money. I only have 30 minutes lesson that all I can afford. After the lesson I am virtually  on my own. This is my new teacher, I have been studying with her since Jan 2007. Thank you

[shortyshort]

My teacher said the 3rd movement, it is the hardest, because it looks easy, but triplet is hard to control.

They are. Consistancy is hard to achieve. 

I do agree that the more I listen to CD, the worse I get, because I am trying to copy the sound and dynamic.

Use them as an extra teacher. 

It just wonderful I find this forum, and we can support one another.

agreed. 

You know. I can never talk to my teacher about my thought and concern and study problem to her.

If I had a teacher, this would be a problem. 

In the lesson, I just work on the piece to get as much information as possible because time is money. I only have 30 minutes lesson that all I can afford. After the lesson I am virtually on my own.

Try to do as much on your own as possible. Your teacher is your guide, not your Boss. 

[nyonyo]

These are my comments regarding your performance:

1. The intro can be more flowing.
2. The middle part is not fast enough resulting lack of excitement.

You have obtained the basic, you may just need to keep working on this piece so that you can play faster and much more passionate (fiery).

Hope this helps.