Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 18 in E flat - 1st & 2nd mvt. - Enzo

[emill]

Recorded this yesterday at home just using the audio that comes with the camcorder
(Cannon Vixia HF 100). The 2nd movement starts at 6:15.

We would be most grateful for any comments.  Thanks a lot for listening and watching   

[scottmcc]

hmm...for once I will take minor issue with something that enzo is doing...obviously he's very talented, and I definitely enjoy hearing a (slightly lesser known) beethoven sonata, but I think the opening motif should sound a little differently.  according to Andras Schiff, it should sound like a question, "Liebst du mich?" (German for "Do you love me?"), with the resounding answer in the resultant phrases.  right now I can only hear the first two notes of the motif.  give it a try, see what you think.

[becky8898]

Hi emill : say hello to Enzo . Listen I must have listened to the start of this Sonata 10 times to make sure my ears werent playing tricks on me.  The opening is supposed to be a dotted eight then a sixteenth note and then a quarter note.  (CFF). That pattern repeats over and over again and im not hearing it. Sounds like Enzo is leaving out the middle sixteenth note and just playing two notes . EX CF instead of CFF.  Also  and this is more subjective in the eight measure where the staccato triplets start, they just dont seem light enough to me. I see them as just barely touching the keys dancing up to the C above middle C where the main theme is played again an octave higher.  I have a lot of other things I could say, but Birba is probably  way  smarter than me at saying them.  I do think its great that Enzo is doing this Sonata. It can be frustrating listening to the same standard Beethoven Sonatas over and over again. This is a refreshing change. 

OH tell Enzo i dig his pants.   

Cheers, Becky

[birba]

Enzo!  I really enjoyed that.  It was so fresh and unaffected.  You play the way you are!  There was no superimposed interpretation - it was just a joyful interpretation of this exquisite sonata.  My favorite, by the way, along with 109 and 111.
The first six measures are all suspended.  They're hanging in the air.  That's why it gives the impression of a question.  LIke Schiff said "Liebst du mich?" -  Do you love me?  But not in a mushy romantic way!  Like a game - coquettish!  The tonality of E-flat major only arrives at the 6th measure in the second inversion.  The dominant only arrives at the seventh!  The others are diminished and supertonic 7ths.  So you have to play with these.  It really isn't allegro yet.  It's true what Becky says - we don't hear the 16th note f.  But I think it's because you're playing it too fast, because we do hear it later on.  Play them sort of andante.   This introduction is ad libitum more or less.  I tie the sixth measure after the fermata.  that is, I don't make a cesura.  Try it.
I liked the way you played the measures 35-42.  Bravo.    Don't worry about playing the group of 12 notes in measure 53 in time.  What's important is to establish the tempo in the following measure by accenting slightly the d.
In the development, don't rush after the first 6 measures.  Strictly in time.  The rest was very well played.  at meas. 136, a slight ritardando before the "do you love me" motif.  Also at 169.
At 202, don't rush.  From 243 to the end, it's all basically piano.  NO ACCENTS and NO RITARD in the last 4 measures.  And don't hold the pedal on the last chord.
You play the second movement technically very well.  But it's too fast.  You're playing it at 100=quarter note.  It should be about 90.  Remember, it's an ALLEGRETTO vivace - not PRESTO.  The nature of a scherzo is lost when it's too fast.  My main gripe here are the 32nd notes.  They all sound like 16th notes.  Try 2-1 fingering on the repeated notes in measure 13 on.  they have to be MUCH quicker!  But I think it's also because you are playing the whole scherzo way too fast.
Enough for now.  I think you have a natural feeling for Beethoven!

[emill]

Hi Birba ... Becky .... Scott !!

Thanks so much for the responses, I am sure Enzo has taken your observations very well. He has read your comments twice already and there was a lot of nodding on his part and a smile here and there while doing so.  When I asked him his thoughts ... he just gave me a bigger smile and his standard reply ... they are Okay papa! (referring to the comments).  Wow!!  I just wish he speaks more and not be such a silent kid and a very moody one too! As usual, he asked for printed copies for discussion with his teacher.