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Piano Board => Repertoire => Topic started by: peterl on December 31, 2010, 10:35:28 PM

Title: 3/8 andantes in Beethoven Bagatelles
Post by: peterl on December 31, 2010, 10:35:28 PM

Op. 126 numbers 3 and 6 are marked andante in 3/8.  My understanding is that classical period 3/8  should be counted in one, and that the tempo indication always refers to the basic pulse.  That would give us something like 180-200 quavers to the minute, which sounds impossibly fast (especially with the  demisemiquavers in number 3). 

So what do the HIP enthusiasts say about these?  Is there any serious argument for considering such fast tempos?   Before saying "of course not, it sounds horrible" let's remember Norrington's recording of the Ninth, or Andras Schiff's first movement of Op. 27/2 - not to everyone's taste (certainly not mine) but they do have considered arguments to justify their unusual tempos.

Title: Re: 3/8 andantes in Beethoven Bagatelles
Post by: mikey6 on January 02, 2011, 09:17:01 AM

I'm not aware of any rule that says to play it in 1 but I would say play it as you feel it.  Just remember they're marked Andante and not(!) Adagio.
Personally, I play them 'generally' in 1 - a little faster than Brendel and Schnabel.
I think no.5 is the most controversial in terms of tempo - it can be plays quite slowly or in a rather flowing manner!