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Topic: 3/8 andantes in Beethoven Bagatelles (Read 3605 times)

peterl

PS Silver Member
Newbie
Posts: 7

3/8 andantes in Beethoven Bagatelles

on: December 31, 2010, 10:35:28 PM

Op. 126 numbers 3 and 6 are marked andante in 3/8. My understanding is that classical period 3/8 should be counted in one, and that the tempo indication always refers to the basic pulse. That would give us something like 180-200 quavers to the minute, which sounds impossibly fast (especially with the demisemiquavers in number 3).

So what do the HIP enthusiasts say about these? Is there any serious argument for considering such fast tempos? Before saying "of course not, it sounds horrible" let's remember Norrington's recording of the Ninth, or Andras Schiff's first movement of Op. 27/2 - not to everyone's taste (certainly not mine) but they do have considered arguments to justify their unusual tempos.

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mikey6

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 1406

Re: 3/8 andantes in Beethoven Bagatelles

Reply #1 on: January 02, 2011, 09:17:01 AM

I'm not aware of any rule that says to play it in 1 but I would say play it as you feel it. Just remember they're marked Andante and not(!) Adagio.
Personally, I play them 'generally' in 1 - a little faster than Brendel and Schnabel.
I think no.5 is the most controversial in terms of tempo - it can be plays quite slowly or in a rather flowing manner!

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