Beethoven: Op. 109 Short first two movements

[iumonito]

From a recital at Highlands Presbyterian Church, in Columbus, Ohio, on March 13, 2010.

[perfect_pitch]

Hey Man, first of all - love the signature   

okay... First of all, you seem to have a different tempo for each of the 3 vivace ma non troppo sections which seems a bit weird - I would try and keep them all at the same tempo (evident in the fact that the development section is slower than the opening of the exposition)...

Also the Adagio espressivo seems just a bit too slow I think for adagio... It was almost grave and it just seemed for the opening of the adagio, too rhythmically strict to the point that it didn't sound really expressive.

However your playing is of a very good quality and you handle the dynamics and the voicing like a pro... so well done.

[iumonito]

Hi, Perfect_pitch,

Thanks for the note!  your suggestion is a sensible one, although I have somewhat moved away from the concept of tempo unity or continuity, at least in terms of beats per second.  These days I am more interested in emotional unity, or rather continuity, as I think it is at least equally valid to let the emotional transformation of the thematic material dictate the tempo at which it is rendered.  I may be playing this sonata again in a few weeks, so I will consider the concept of rendering the various vivace sections at the same speed, although I very much find it (at least according to my current understanding of the music) the end to come much too quickly if it were to go at the same speed as the beginning - that would require the beginning to go slower, which although common, seems to me a misunderstanding of the contrast of character between the Vivace ma non troppo and the Adagio espressivo.

On the Adagio espressivo, I think the rubato does not come in fully until the arpeggios - I think I would otherwise lose the imitative counterpoint between the two hands.  I have recently started to play this section much slower than I used to, as I had a change of heart and now the faster tempo seems to me too close to andante.  I think about 56 to the eight-note should be about right; I may have played it slower than that in performance, but at the time it felt right.

In any case, as soon as I have a chance, I will check your recording and make comments if I feel there is anything productive I can add.  These are pieces to live with a lifetime - I learned this sonata some 20 years ago, and I am still evolving almost constantly in my understanding.  Hopefully that will never cease.   

[pianowolfi]

Very interesting, catching and individual performance! I think that you get the balance between the composer's intentions and your own "rendition" of the piece very well!
The only thing that irritates me a bit is the very beginning, which seems a bit rushed, but that is due to nervousness I guess, I can relate very much

I think your approach:

These are pieces to live with a lifetime - I learned this sonata some 20 years ago, and I am still evolving almost constantly in my understanding.  Hopefully that will never cease.

has a lot of effect on your playing. I experience your playing as alive, free, thoughtful and heartfelt.

[perfect_pitch]

I am still evolving almost constantly in my understanding.  Hopefully that will never cease.   

I think every piano player here hopes that never ceases to happens to them either.

My latest (and hopefully best recording of it) so far (since I still have 6 months till the exam) is here if you're interested at having a listen - recorded it about 6 days ago.

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=35913.msg419449#msg419449