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Topic: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 Op. 15 (Read 1428 times)

beginner0

PS Silver Member
Newbie
Posts: 8

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 Op. 15

on: February 23, 2006, 08:51:18 PM

Just wondering, is there some kind of storyline behind this that could be fitted to the music? Or what message was Beethoven trying to send? I am not that good with music earlier than Romantic, so anything helps.

Thanks.

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teresa_b

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 612

Re: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 Op. 15

Reply #1 on: February 25, 2006, 02:18:17 AM

Hi,

I don't think there is any "story line"--Beethoven rarely composed with that in mind. This is a beautiful piece, and pretty straightforward, in my view.

The exposition of the 1st movement is lively, energetic, not too profound...The development section, however, is totally different--all rather soft, dreamy and questioning. UNTIL! The big scale leading back into the recap--then Beethoven is saying, "Surprise! No more suspended dreaming, back to reality!

The second movement is just beautiful. Play your heart out, but keep the tempo steady, with a little less rubato that you would in the super Romantics.

Third movement rondo--Built on folk tunes, and completely unbuttoned! You can imagine the somewhat bumptious country folk when playing the off-beat sf notes and the hand-crossing passages. Not as smooth or refined as Mozart would be. Most important--Have fun!

Teresa