[VIDEO] Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 14 Op. 27. No. 2 "Moonlight"

[torandrekongelf]

I have posted this one time before. But got a feedback there was issues with it. So I have practiced like mad for some months on this and I hope that it finally is it good shape.

Some people claim my 1st movement is tto fast. I disagree since Beethoven marked it Alla Breve. Which means you count 2 in bar and not 4. And then you will find that this is quite Adagio. You may like it slower, but I like it how Beethoven wrote it.

I hope you find this enjoyable and at an acceptable level. Thank you for watching. I am still open for criticism, as long as its not in the direction of "I like it better this way, so you should play it like I want it to sound!" But suggestions are ok ofc 

[kawai_cs]

I liked it a lot, fantastic job! You really play it with Beethoven touch, which is great.  I also think that is exactly the right tempo for the 1st movement. I think the reason why it is often played too slow is that this is such a popular piece and attempted by pianists with not enough skill to play it at required speed. I think Beethoven intended it the way you play it because one can really appreciate its beauty at this speed.

[torandrekongelf]

I liked it a lot, fantastic job! You really play it with Beethoven touch, which is great.  I also think that is exactly the right tempo for the 1st movement. I think the reason why it is often played too slow is that this is such a popular piece and attempted by pianists with not enough skill to play it at required speed. I think Beethoven intended it the way you play it because one can really appreciate its beauty at this speed.

Thanks alot!

[torandrekongelf]

No one else? Not even the ones who complained about my first video on this?

[mjames]

Well I didn't really listen because I actually dislike this work but i managed to plow through it. You sounded in control and everything. Job well done.

[dcstudio]

Nice job!   3rd mvmt needs just a tad more dynamic contrast  IMO, of course...  getting folks to listen to this one is kinda tough..  it's the sonata itself, not you...  

[panolof]

No one else? Not even the ones who complained about my first video on this?

I never heard your first video, but on listening to this - your first and third movement are flawless, the second movement, to my taste needs a softer bass in several sections - this seems to dominate. I'm basing this on having listened to the Classical Collection rendition of this piece, not sheet music - so maybe it's written with an accented bass.

I like the polyphony in the first movement, it's different, but it works. The third movement needs more contrast in dynamics.

Not much else, overall a great performance, keep it up!

[torandrekongelf]

I never heard your first video, but on listening to this - your first and third movement are flawless, the second movement, to my taste needs a softer bass in several sections - this seems to dominate. I'm basing this on having listened to the Classical Collection rendition of this piece, not sheet music - so maybe it's written with an accented bass.

I like the polyphony in the first movement, it's different, but it works. The third movement needs more contrast in dynamics.

Not much else, overall a great performance, keep it up!

Beethoven actually writes FORTE on the specific bass notes in the Trio. Many pianists neglect this. I am not sure why.

It seems for some reason that the dynamic differences get ironed out either when I move the recording over to my computer, or when Adobe Premiere renders the file. It annoys me as well. I can compensate for more use of the right pedal perhaps.

[panolof]

Listen, it's entirely up to you, at this point there's nothing more to learn. Just iron out the creases - but it seems there aren't any so don't create any when critisized. The dynamic contrast you achieved I quite like, but to shape the third movement more adequately it might help.
I posted a Beethoven sonata recording of myself, I know I need alot of work - still. It gets tougher as you advance forward. You have, in my opinion mastered diploma level in sound and technique( I can compare as I'm working towards this at the moment) . Quite a feat - I must say.
Now, to take it a step forward, most have no idea, even the professionals , but good luck. The next level is creating something your own. You may play it, but it is more often a combination of past things leart or heard and now performed. So essentially a professional performance can develop by trying to mimic recordings of countless professionals and then developing your own interpretation - just don't let them rub off too much on you.

Goodluck and great job!😉👌