Pathetique tempo

[lagin]

Hi all,  I'm trying to finish learning the Pathetique sonata (excluding third movement) by Beethoven, but I don't know what my finished speed for the first movement should be.  I've heard a couple recordings at 152 to the half note, and they sounded okay.  I've heard it faster, too, but then it started to not even sound like good music.  I was wondering what a nice final tempo should be in your opinions.  How slow is too slow?  This is for an exam so I am trying to find an acceptable tempo with that in mind as well.  Thanks in advance.

[superstition2]

Hi all,  I'm trying to finish learning the Pathetique sonata (excluding third movement) by Beethoven, but I don't know what my finished speed for the first movement should be.  I've heard a couple recordings at 152 to the half note, and they sounded okay.  I've heard it faster, too, but then it started to not even sound like good music.  I was wondering what a nice final tempo should be in your opinions.  How slow is too slow?  This is for an exam so I am trying to find an acceptable tempo with that in mind as well.  Thanks in advance.

As slow as you can tolerate. The third movement is the moderately fast one.

[lagin]

Are you talking about the Grave or the Allegro part?  I know I play the Grave slower than alot of people, but I do that on purpose because I think it sounds better.  It's the Allegro part that I'm not sure how fast or slow to play it.  I like it on the slow side as does my mom.  She says you can take the music in better that way.  I do realize, however, that an examiner probably has a relative standard of speed which they are expecting to hear.  That's what I'm trying to figure out.  Come on people, surely a bunch of your have played this before?

[superstition2]

Your questioning seems to miss the point of performing music. It's not about meeting the expectations of a judge. It's about playing the music to the best of your ability. If you want to play something slow, play it slow. But, don't play something slowly because you haven't done enough practice. You should decide what tempo to use based on your interpretation of the piece, nothing else. If the examiner isn't happy with the tempo because he/she feels it's too easy, then play a harder piece. One of the worst things a pianist can become is a robot who mechanically plays things according to artificially imposed expectations. A musician is an artist first and an artisan second. The exception is when you're a member of an ensemble, especially a symphony. Soloists have much more latitude for interpretation than members of a large group with a conductor.

[lagin]

I agree with you superstition, but in this case I want to play it really safe because if I don't pass this exam I am simply not allowed to proceed to get my performer's diploma.  All RCM exams are optional EXCEPT this one (and the performer's one) if you want your degree.  Just wanted to explain why I'm being a "stick in the mud" about it .   

[allthumbs]

Greetings lagin

I'm also working on the first two movements of this Sonata for my Grade 10 exam. Have a listen to Robert Silverman's interpretation and see what you think, I've sent you all three movements .
It's recorded on a Bosendorfer 290E Reproducing Piano.

Enjoy


Cheers

allthumbs .

[Siberian Husky]

little lagin how are you doing with that piece anyway?.

[pianowolfi]

I feel pretty good with Czernys half note=144

[lagin]

It's memorized now, and at a reasonable speed, but now my teacher says she wants me to start performing it in front of audiences soon to get ready for my exam.  I pity them - having to listen to me butcher this 8 minute piece again and again and again, until June.  Their pieces that they are getting ready for festivals and exams are only 1/4 the length of mine.  I don't think it's a fair trade, really.

By the way, with all do respect, and graceful social etiquet (wow, I have no clue how to spell that word!), and with utmost tact, won't you pretty please, GET YOUR FURRY SELF INTO THE CHAT ROOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[asdfasdf]

my sheet says it's alla breve and allegro
allegro is 120 - 168 beats per minute
alla breve means a half note per beat