Piano Forum



Rhapsody in Blue – A Piece of American History at 100!
The centennial celebration of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue has taken place with a bang and noise around the world. The renowned work of American classical music has become synonymous with the jazz age in America over the past century. Piano Street provides a quick overview of the acclaimed composition, including recommended performances and additional resources for reading and listening from global media outlets and radio. Read more >>

Topic: Ludwig van Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata played on a clavichord  (Read 1506 times)

Offline michael_sayers

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1251
Hi Everyone,

I don't have any particular opinion on this, or the discussion that surrounds it, but maybe you do?  I am a bit biased toward hearing this piano sonata on a grand piano, and maybe being a pianist has something to do with this. ;)

A clavichord is only pp-p in dynamics, unlike the impression given by how it was mic'd for the video.




Mvh,
Michael

Offline compline

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 334
Michael, what does  pp-p mean? 

Sorry if that seems a goofy question.

 


Offline michael_sayers

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1251
Michael, what does  pp-p mean?  

Sorry if that seems a goofy question.

Hi Compline,

It isn't a goofy question at all!  I've never played a clavichord, or heard one live, but I am told that the range of dynamics is so quiet that just whispering by someone in an audience will make it hard to hear the instrument.

pp-p is shorthand for pianissimo to piano, and is a type of indication which sometimes [though very rarely!] is used in music scores.


Mvh,
Michael

Offline michael_sayers

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1251
Hi Compline,

I did some checking, and evidently I was bit off in describing a clavichord's dynamic range!  This is what I read at https://www.clavichord.org.uk/More/Guides/ComposingGuide.html :

In absolute terms, relative to the modern concert grand piano, the loudest clavichords have a dynamic range of perhaps pppp–mf. Because the listener's and player's ears adjust quickly to the relative dynamic level, composers have historically notated this range from pp–ff. It is often most rewarding to explore the dynamics at the quietest levels, although players can be reluctant to do this in concert, for fear of not being heard.


Mvh,
Michael

Offline michael_sayers

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1251
p.s. - I also read this at that web page - evidently my views on clavichords have become a bit out-of-date!

It used to be thought that the clavichord was too quiet to be played in public, and that the instrument should serve just for practice and private study and enjoyment, but modern experience with fine historic copies in small halls with good acoustics has showed that it can be a successful concert instrument. It has also been used in ensemble with flute, violin or voice, and there is a small but important repertoire for two clavichords.


Mvh,
Michael

Offline compline

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 334
Thank you for all the interesting information  Michael.
It is worth while to study and compare these authentic instruments with the modern concert  grand.   
Do you know if Beethoven performed on such a Clavicord and when he was taking lessons?
I think he lived at a time of technological advance.  And did he not expand the keyboard?

 :)

Offline michael_sayers

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1251
Hi Compline,

I don't know much about Beethoven's experiences of clavichords.  I have read, though, that his father drilled him relentlessly with Bach's W.T.C I.

Composers influenced expansion of the keyboard up through Busoni who motivated the 92 key Imperial Bösendorfer.


Mvh,
Michael
For more information about this topic, click search below!
 

Logo light pianostreet.com - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts.

Subscribe for unlimited access

Sign up

Follow us

Piano Street Digicert