Beethoven sonata in D minor 3 MVT only op.31 No.2 The Tempest

[zheer]

Please tell me what you think of it, hope you like it.

[arensky]

This was very good, it's a hard movement IMO, perpetual motion that never lets up. And you manage it very well, I never get a sense that you're fatigued or tired; it always has a good dancelike rythmic flow, like ice skaters on a lake, now gliding, now leaping athletically. And now to specifics....

At mm.17-29 you need to observe the dynamic markings, play piano when HE marks it piano and forte/crescendo/decrecsendo througout this section, otherwise it will sound monochromatic. At m.30 the LH could have been more prominent. You were probably trying to keep it down so as not to overpower the RH; keep working at this, if you articulate the LH clearly it will be heard, without drowning the RH. At m.67 you sort of lost control,  it's very difficult for the LH there. Keep practicing this slowly, NEVER taking your eye off your LH, in particular those bass notes. It's a similair problem at m.99, where the g minor suddenly blasts out. Position carefully, so you don't miss, this is a dangerous place because of the geographical and rythmic displacement. Most of the next two pages were very good, with some good dynamic and tone color contrasts. M.170; hey this is hard, it's really bugging me too (I am preparing this Sonata for recitals in about two months).  In the LH I play the tied A's (second LH note) with five, the stretch kills me, so I just jump up from the first LH note, 5-5. You lost the groove here, but reclaimed it at m.199. This whole phrase, 199- 214 was really good, I thought of your recording when I was practicing today. You let it take flight, it just spins off into space, very beautifully. Mm.247-270 were better than the corresponding earlier section, particularly in the LH, as were mm.350-365. At m.382, it needs to be FF!! Why not? then down to nothing at all, as it quietly flies back to where it started in the 1st mvt., a d minor arpeggio...creepy.

I hope this helps you, and that I'm clear in explaining myself; it's hard for me to explain these things without a piano at hand, to illustrate what I mean. Can't wait to hear the other movements, I think you have a connection with this piece, it is significant for you, as it is for me, it's probably my favorite Beethoven Sonata. Keep up the good work, and post the rest when you're ready!   

[zheer]

Thankyou so much for your very kind words arensky.
The specifics that you metioned are so helpful, you have no idea, am taking notes and putting them on my music notes, i aslo agree with you very much, infact i can think of other things that can be playd better.
     As far as the level of difficulty, yes i agree with you its not a easy MVt, but not for the same reason as to why a Chopin Etude is difficult. I dont know if its my vave sonata because i love Beethovens music so much, but its one of my vave.I must be honest with you and say that this sonats has been in the back of my mind for some time, and i didnt learn it in a few weeks.   
Am sure you also love the second MVT very much. All the best with your recital.

[kelly_kelly]

This was very good, it's a hard movement IMO, perpetual motion that never lets up. And you manage it very well, I never get a sense that you're fatigued or tired; it always has a good dancelike rythmic flow, like ice skaters on a lake, now gliding, now leaping athletically.

That describes it perfectly. I love this mvt even more after hearing your recording.

[lisztisforkids]

Mr. Zheer,

    That was really quite good. I enjoyed it very much. I would have played it a tidbit faster though, but thats just my opinon. Thanks for sharing!

[zheer]

Hey, thanks kelly_kelly and lisztisforkids for sharing your thoughts.
       Well Kelly_Kelly am glad you feel that way about this sonata, since it means you will be playing it, or i gess you already play this sonata rather well.


        Yes lisztisforkids it is intesting what you said about the tempo, i feel that this MVT is intesting in that it can be playd in a number of different ways. I remember a long time ago hearing a recording by Glen Gould, and belive me it was very fast, accurate and exciting, i remember thinking thats the best. I agree with you if playd a little faster it will sound more forward moving, However saying that it is marked as an Allegreto.

[musicsdarkangel]

Very nice!

I am starting this sonata now (and excited), wonderful piece.

[zheer]

Very nice!

I am starting this sonata now (and excited), wonderful piece.

   Good luck, and have fun with this sonata.