Beethoven "Appassionata" Sonata

[kaiwin]

Some go slow on the third movement and some go fast. I personally like it faster because I feel it flows more. Slower just seems boring. What do you guys think?

[Kassaa]

I'm now working on the third movement, I aim for a very high tempo.

[quantum]

Too fast means you loose the detalied melodic contours that Beethoven used in his accompanimenets. 

Eg: I don't like Richters recording, as it is too fast. 

[thalbergmad]

Myra Hess speed i feel is about right.

[Kassaa]

Gilels live rec from prague speed is the perfect tempo for me.

[brewtality]

Gilels live rec from prague speed is the perfect tempo for me.

But it is pitched a half step sharp. True, the tempo is correct. Anything over 4'30" without the repeat is unacceptable (unless the pianist is Levy).

[e60m5]

It depends on what you feel the movement to mean.  I used to play it extremely fast, but my view of the movement has since changed.  Previously, I saw it as a storm, a whirlwind, not unlike the last movement of 27/2; these days, however, I see it more as a lament and as a song (vocally speaking), in light of which I feel a fast tempo feels rather... stupid.  But, tempo in this movement is above all an individual qestion. 

[mike_lang]

Let's not forget that we have the apparently vague tempo marking "not too fast."

ML

[maxy]

It depends on what you feel the movement to mean.  I used to play it extremely fast, but my view of the movement has since changed.  Previously, I saw it as a storm, a whirlwind, not unlike the last movement of 27/2; these days, however, I see it more as a lament and as a song (vocally speaking), in light of which I feel a fast tempo feels rather... stupid.  But, tempo in this movement is above all an individual qestion. 

nicely said!  unfortunately, most people won't respect that.  It makes that piece a big risk whenever it has to be played for a jury.

[xavierm]

As long as you leave room for the presto at the end, you can be pretty liberal with it. I'm pretty sure the reason Beethoven said not too fast was so the presto at the end can really be effective. Of course you don't want to blast through the piece without any thought (cough, or give it the lang lang treatment) however a nice brisk pace can be excitement to what is supposed to be a very exciting movement.

[quantum]

I think that many concentrate too much on the excitement of the movement, and forget about the inherent expressivity that Beethoven has built in.  The contours of the figurations suggest there is more to be said than just fast playing.  In other words, I feel that there is a built in  expressive melodic line within the accompaniment figures. 

[airasia]

Depends how you're feeling at the moment, i play it different speeds all the time, and different volumes.

[brewtality]

I think that many concentrate too much on the excitement of the movement, and forget about the inherent expressivity that Beethoven has built in.  The contours of the figurations suggest there is more to be said than just fast playing.  In other words, I feel that there is a built in  expressive melodic line within the accompaniment figures. 

If it is really inherent it should come through no matter what the speed. Fast doesn't necessarily mean that subtlety is lost. I don't think I understand your last statement, are you referring to inner voices (or lines)?

[quantum]

If it is really inherent it should come through no matter what the speed. Fast doesn't necessarily mean that subtlety is lost.

True, but too many people just stop refining their performance when it get's fast enough.

I don't think I understand your last statement, are you referring to inner voices (or lines)?

Yes, inner voices.

[steve jones]

Some go slow on the third movement and some go fast. I personally like it faster because I feel it flows more. Slower just seems boring. What do you guys think?

I like it both ways to be honest. Rubi does it pretty fast, Arrau goes a bit slower, but I love both recordings.

For me, speed isnt make or break with this piece.

SJ

[alejo_90]

I like it both ways to be honest. Rubi does it pretty fast, Arrau goes a bit slower, but I love both recordings.

For me, speed isnt make or break with this piece.

SJ

Yeah, I agree with you, I like it both fast and slow, but Rubinstein's tempo isn't much faster than Arrau's on the third movement. I think you were referring to the first movement. Rubinstein's tempo on the that movement is quite fast, but Arrau's is very slow.

Best
Alex

[persona]

Let me tell you: the first version I ever listened to was Richter's. I loved it. A few weeks later, I got Arrau's recordings of the 32 piano sonatas, I went straight to Apassionata to find it was incredibly slower. The first thing that came to my mind was "why doesn't this guy wait till he masters a respectable tempo, and then record this sonata?", but now I got used to the slow version, and to tell you the truth, when I listen to Richter's I feel it lacks meaning. It's hard to explain, but I sense Arrau's to express certain emotions the faster version doesn't.

[zheer]

Some go slow on the third movement and some go fast. I personally like it faster because I feel it flows more. Slower just seems boring. What do you guys think?

  Yes and no, if played too fast the MVT will sound like pure rage, crazy or manic. On the other if played slow it can sound boring or flat, sadly thats what my intrpretation of this MVT sounds like at the momment some may disagree. I think it should flow , sound very soft dark mysterious never rushed, so faster than Allegretto and slightly slower slower than Allegro.

[alejo_90]

Let me tell you: the first version I ever listened to was Richter's. I loved it. A few weeks later, I got Arrau's recordings of the 32 piano sonatas, I went straight to Apassionata to find it was incredibly slower. The first thing that came to my mind was "why doesn't this guy wait till he masters a respectable tempo, and then record this sonata?", but now I got used to the slow version, and to tell you the truth, when I listen to Richter's I feel it lacks meaning. It's hard to explain, but I sense Arrau's to express certain emotions the faster version doesn't.

I've never heard Richter's Appassionata, would you mind to upload it? I'd aprecciate it very much.

Best
Alex