Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata Op. 27 No. 2 (3rd Mvmt)

[piano6888]

Here is a classical piece that I have done recently:

This is one of my favorite piano pieces ever since I was a young kid and Beethoven is one of my favorite composers as well.  Feel free to leave constructive comments regarding technique, musicality, flow, and overall performance. Thanks

Ignore the previous video, it is over a year old, instead, listen to my most recent recording here:
https://soundcloud.com/henry-jiang-piano6888/beethoven-piano-sonata-no-14-c-minor-presto-agitato

-piano6888 (Henry)

[cometear]

Focus on eveness throughout the entire piece. I do not feel that this piece has as many gives in the tempo that you are allowing. Certain places it is acceptable, but do not abuse that or otherwise it will no longer have the emotion Beethoven was aiming for (most likely frustration). If you want to express you need the correct technicality. I noticed at times the right hand could not be heard. This is a mere issue of not "getting to the bottom of every note." This means you are not hitting the key far enough down (again since I cannot see your hands I cannot tell for sure) at certain places. This is common in pieces that control can be lost easily and usually tempo is the culprit until you mend the seams. By this I mean, the tempo is too fast too soon. You cannot control every note whether it be dynamics, tone, or eveness. You must slow it down in the practice room and make sure every single note has its own value but please, please, please do not exaggerate your motions. When people go slow they always assume the motions need to be larger. I see that your pianistic abilities are extremely advanced and thus I believe some of this is self-explanatory but it is always good to hear some input! I think this was a beautiul rendition and much better than most of the attempts that are out there. Keep at it, and soon it will be perfected! Good luck!

[trus]

piano6888, I must say, when people say - this is my recording of Moonlight sonata, I tend to open the link fearing to hear a disaster, lol! I listened to your recording till the end. There are so really nice moments there, well done! I do agree with the previous comment about the tempo though, but I am sure you will get it perfect in no time at all (saying this with a slightly envy, cause wish I could play as well!) I played Moonlight sonata in my 7th year when I was graduating my musical school (nearly 20 years ago!) , but I am not yet ready  to play this piece again...

[dima_76557]

Feel free to leave constructive comments regarding technique, musicality, flow, and overall performance.

Generally a good start... BUT...

This is one of those pieces where you don't have to do much in terms of "interpretation" to bring the piece to life. The only thing you need to do is follow the composers indications strictly and cope with the rather serious motoric requirements in the left hand throughout the whole movement with zero tolerance for technical weaknesses, endurance problems, etc. Cometear already mentioned that your right hand can hardly be heard sometimes, but I think the reason for that lies entirely in the LEFT hand. When both hands have to do 100%, please make sure (always!) that your left hand can do 125-150%, or you may get into trouble with "motoric" pieces like this one.

I would recommend more work on the galloping horse effect, created by the crisp staccato in the left hand whenever you play those ascending broken chord passages. It's the relentless staccato in the left hand that gives impetus to the piece, because the ascending broken chords in the right hand are in themselves too commonplace to be interesting. When you practise slowly hands together, please emphasize flawless execution of the left hand part and also practise hands separately. Good luck!

[piano6888]

Thank you guys for all the feedback! I appreciate it! Yes, I think the tempo and the eveness on the piece are quite critical and I will take those into account when I do have another rework of the piece From listening to myself, I have also noticed about sometimes the notes don't seem be more distinct and I agree, there are some parts that are quite muddled.

[dima_76557]

@ piano6888

If you are interested in my take on the content of this movement: I think it is a person bound to die, but still trying to escape his fate on his horse. It may well be Beethoven's version of the Erlkönig, hunting after the horseman. It's not a piece with a nice content; rather frightening I would say. It's no accident that this is often used in cartoons when there is one hunting after the other. There is something inevitable in there from which there is no escape. That's why the rhythm must be relentless throughout. For inspiration purposes only, I would like to propose you my favorite recording by Emil Gilels (1968, live):

All the best!

[piano6888]

Gilels is a phenomenal and very seasoned pianist! I enjoy his interpretation of Moonlight Sonata, very fast and furious, pretty much conveys Beethoven's true fury, rage, and passion in his performance!

[piano6888]

Bumping this topic for others to take a look at my video

[piano6888]

Just another bump for feedback. Sorry it has been a long time since I've posted, but I have been busy with real life. 

[pytheamateur]

I gave 2 very amateurish concerts last summer.  This was the piece I used to end the first half.  I am thinking of another concert in the summer of 2015.  I thought about playing this piece again until I saw the above masterclass by Andras Schiff.
 
Not that I necessarily agree with everything that Schiff says, but it is certainly a piece that one can spend a life time perfecting.  I will try to practice it from time to time, so as to keep it reasonably under my fingers, but probably won't be performing it again for quite some time.

[abielikesu]

Congrats to the OP for an enjoyable performance, and thanks to py for bringing up the Masterclass, really good.

[piano6888]

I'm just bumping this topic for now and I will be doing another attempt to see where that one goes.

[pytheamateur]

I'm just bumping this topic for now and I will be doing another attempt to see where that one goes.

Yes, I look forward to watching your next video.

[picsatsofron]

I love the way Andras Schiff talks about music and especially Beethoven (I listen to his Guardian lectures when I go to the gym), but I find his playing is extremely frustrating, especially because he is so insightful when he speaks about music.

[piano6888]

Ok, here is a new recording of the 3rd movement of Moonlight Sonata.  (Audio only because I didn't get a video when I was in the recording studio, though the benefit is the much better audio quality. You could just imagine my fingers and hands flying through the piano )

https://soundcloud.com/henry-jiang-piano6888/beethoven-piano-sonata-no-14-c-minor-presto-agitato

Turn up your volume if you can't hear it, the audio is a bit quiet.

[pytheamateur]

It would help you if you gave us some context in which the 2nd recording was made.  What happened between the year in between the 2 recordings?  Did you not touch the piece at all and only got back to playing it?  Or having you been practising the piece or even working on it with a teacher all this time?

[piano6888]

I have practiced the piece for quite a bit and again no teacher due to financial strain.  I was only fortunate enough to save up enough to get a good recording.  As far as practicing it, I have played it on and off during the year, but more often in the months leading up to the recording.  (I recorded it sometime in the middle of June 2014). I've spent quite a hell of a lot on this recording (along with other music) so I don't think I'll take a v3, v4, etc. unless I manage to save up enough money in the future.

I take it that the 2nd recording was better than my first one (not considering the audio quality)? Or was it worse musically and technically?

[pytheamateur]

You clearly are very passionate about the piano and about this piece.  I have enormous respect for those who show so much dedication to their hobby.

It is clear from your recordings that you know this piece quite well as a whole.  I think what would benefit at this stage is if you focus more on the details.

I don't know how you practise this piece now, but you might want to stop playing through the whole piece many times.  Try instead to focus on a section/phrase at a time.

When working on bars 9-12 for example, pay attention to the lower voice.  Imagine it is a different instrument in an orchestra playing.  Make sure the melodic line sings.  I have noticed that not all the notes are heard all the time.  To practise, you can just play this line separately.

You can also work on the voicing of some of the chords, such as the passages from bars 43-57.  Think of the music as a string quartet.

When practising, you can start with a slower tempo.  The important thing is try listen with your ears to the sound you're making and evaluate whether this is what you want to hear.  I am starting to use this method now and I have found it very helpful.

Hope you find this helpful.  I'm trying to improve on this piece too.  Feel free to make further recordings, not necessarily of the whole piece, but just particular sections you are working on.  Don't worry about the audio quality -you can use an smartphone or a computer recording software.

By the way, do you play the 1st and 2nd movements as well?  If not, I'd suggest you learn them as well as the piece does not seem complete without them. 

[piano6888]

Thank you for your input, and good suggestions about comparing the harmony to a string quartet.  As far as the 1st and 2nd movements are concerned, I do have those recorded, and whenever I find a time to release them, then I'll go ahead and do that, but I'm still trying to find ways to make those movements sound louder, because the audio is still a bit quiet. (I need to be careful when I decide to modify the audio, because I don't want to ruin the audio quality simply just by amplifying/compressing it.)