Beethoven Tempest 3rd Movement - Rhythm

[dhaid]

I have read (I think somewhere in these forums) that it is important in the 3rd movement of Beethoven's Tempest to maintain the proper 3/8 rhythm.

My problem is as follows: I can play in such a way that I can actually "feel" the three beats per measure. However, when I listen to recordings, I seem to hear a beat on the fourth 16th, which I thought is exactly what should not happen.

Maybe this is only an illusion, since with some effort I can usually hear the 3/8 beats in the recordings as well.

I can also play in such a way that I *think* sounds more like the recordings, i.e. more stress on the fourth 16th, but then when I check with a metronome it is impossible to play on 3/8 that way, I always get confused.

So which is the right way to play this?

[chopin2015]

Count in 1, dont count each beat in that first section.
I'm not sure what section you are referring to, but maybe the recording is accenting the melody. If you accented the 4th 16th note, the melody would divide in triplets.
Accent whatever notes you want, see what you like best. Also, accents may help lead into the rest of the second section, where the main beat has a rest and should be accented.

You can avoid being confused about the rhythm by just counting in 1 and count your rests...

If I or you are confused, let me know.

[j_menz]

So which is the right way to play this?

With the beat on the first, third and fifth semi quaver (mostly on the first, and always subject to accent marks). So those opening figures ain the treble are da DA da DAH [rest] da DA da DAH

[dhaid]

With the beat on the first, third and fifth semi quaver da DA da DAH [rest] da DA da DAH

I have now been practising "da DA da DAH", and it seems to be slightly more difficult than "DA da da DAH", is this a good or bad sign?

And still, all the recordings of professional pianists seem to have "DA da da DAH" instead. At least that is what I hear. Am I hearing wrong? Should I train myself to hear "da DA da DAH" in those recordings?

[j_menz]

I have now been practising "da DA da DAH", and it seems to be slightly more difficult than "DA da da DAH", is this a good or bad sign?

It is what it is. If you are used to "DA da da DAH", doing it the other way will seem harder, at least at first.

And still, all the recordings of professional pianists seem to have "DA da da DAH" instead. At least that is what I hear. Am I hearing wrong? Should I train myself to hear "da DA da DAH" in those recordings?

I can't really say if it's your ears or the performances without knowing what they are. You should train yourself to hear what is actually happening.

[nyiregyhazi]

I have read (I think somewhere in these forums) that it is important in the 3rd movement of Beethoven's Tempest to maintain the proper 3/8 rhythm.

My problem is as follows: I can play in such a way that I can actually "feel" the three beats per measure. However, when I listen to recordings, I seem to hear a beat on the fourth 16th, which I thought is exactly what should not happen.

Maybe this is only an illusion, since with some effort I can usually hear the 3/8 beats in the recordings as well.

I can also play in such a way that I *think* sounds more like the recordings, i.e. more stress on the fourth 16th, but then when I check with a metronome it is impossible to play on 3/8 that way, I always get confused.

So which is the right way to play this?

I think many pianists feel it right inside themselves, but fail to show it to the listener. It's essential to subtly mark three units of strong weak (with great care to genuinely be weak on the 4th and to make the 3rd clear, but not abrupt). Establish that early and a listener will carry on hearing it correctly even in more smooth articulation. Miss it early on and you may feel it but the listener won't. Even when you record yourself, it may sound like 2 3s, if you listen back, unless you make it unmistakable- not to you but to a listener with no expectations.

Quite honestly, there are few pianists where I can avoid hearing 2 3s even if consciously trying to hear it correctly. I think it's usually played badly by even top pianists.