I think after the Hammerklavier, this is one of Beethoven's most difficult and problematic compositions. You played it very well. I think the beginning is too soft. You really have to sing out that "lebewohl". And always in a diminuendo. That's why you can't attack it too piano. And whenever that leitmotiv comes around, always observe the same phrasing. The runs should also be in the same line of "lebewohl" - always disappearing over the horizon.
This is kind of funny. It seems like you've managed to avoid the problem most performances of this piece have (knowing just what the hell to bring out in the voicing, which I think you did a really good job with), but I think you were too conservative in dynamic expression and tempo.In regard to Birba's comment about wanting the introduction played more forcefully, I'd tend to disagree with that.
too conservative in dynamic expression and tempo as in how? further elaborate please. Do you mean that I was being too faithful to the authentic playing of Beethoven's music? LOL Mezzo forte - Cressendo - Pianissimo (sudden change) as how he intended it to be? What about tempo? I should do some rubatos at certain places?
If my suggestions aren't useful to you, then I have no idea why an elaboration would be. And, no, none of your guesses are correct.
hahahaha... That's the reason i need more elaboration on that. cos when you brought out the term 'conservative' people would probably refer it to some performance practise issues, other wise what else could it be? but it is ok if you are unable to further explain.
Oh wait, let me be more specific. Forgot that's what you wanted.You're aware I said I liked the performance, right? I don't normally say that, especially with this piece. What I meant was that your performance is more boring than it should be. Your dynamic range is next-to-nothing, as well as the fact that your tempo is slower than what most people (including myself) like. This all makes it more boring than it should be. You seem to have the difficult properties of the piece down, but you play like too much of a wimp to make it exciting. Instead, you get a very dry, but accurate, presentation. All the subtlety in the world will never make a performance very interesting to an audience. I'm quite sure this is how most anyone would have interpreted my original comment, by the way.
Topic: Beethoven's sonata no 26 in Eb major - " Les Adieux" 1st movement 