opus 28 andante Beethoven

[nick]

nick

[scottmcc]

two very good recordings by you of two of my favorite bits of beethoven!

in contrast to your recording of the tempest, I thought you did a very good job of conveying the emotions of this piece, but I had a few technical quibbles, most of which fall within the realm of style rather than absolutes.  first off, your tempo is rather brisk, although certainly well within the realm of acceptable and you kept it quite stable so I can't fault you there--my personal preference is just a slight bit slower.  next, the use of pedal:  I think you're applying it a bit too liberally and not always at a right time, such that a few of the textures are obscured.  this was most notable in measure 24 (and analogous measures), where the staccato chords were blurred together.  it also was noticeable in the variation of the main theme beginning on measure 47--the left hand is staccato until measure 51, and I didn't hear this difference.  I think you are pedaling in a way that is "standard," meaning changing it with the harmonies, but the piece doesn't call for standard pedaling.

if you haven't listened to Andras Schiff's lecture on this piece, I suggest you do so--I certainly learned a lot from it.  google "schiff guardian uk."

and again, most importantly, I'd like to hear you play the rest of the sonata!  great work overall.

[nick]

thank you.

nick