Just one question... Only need for one reply, thanks

[ziggy50]

When a piece doesn't give a tempo do you just play it at crochet=100?

[brogers70]

No.

[ziggy50]

No.

Then what?

[hardy_practice]

The metronome only goes back to Beethoven's time.  Previously (and afterwards) words like allegro, Largo, Andante were used.  If there's no indication at all you need to be familiar with the genre.  And..., what ever pace don't stick to it like a machine.

[ziggy50]

The metronome only goes back to Beethoven's time.  Previously (and afterwards) words like allegro, Largo, Andante were used.  If there's no indication at all you need to be familiar with the genre.  And..., what ever pace don't stick to it like a machine.

Thanks

[louispodesta]

The metronome only goes back to Beethoven's time.  Previously (and afterwards) words like allegro, Largo, Andante were used.  If there's no indication at all you need to be familiar with the genre.  And..., what ever pace don't stick to it like a machine.

1)  Late in Beethoven's life, when the metronome presented itself, he was stone deaf.  That means he couldn't hear the tick tock like everyone of us else does.  Listening to any of the few recordings made by current conductors who utilize Beethoven symphonic markings, this is obvious.  They are much faster than anyone has ever played them.

2)  Regarding my thesis of original keyboard practice, Dr. Neal Peres Da Costa makes extensive reference (via Karl Czerny) as to how Beethoven played his works.  Not only did he use arpeggiation in both hands, he also used the common practice of tempo modificiation.

3)  Therefore, regarding the OP's original question, Beethoven's metronome markings should be taken with a very large grain of salt, in my opinion.

[hardy_practice]

How about: The metronome only goes back to 1815.  Previously (and afterwards) words like allegro, Largo, Andante were used.  If there's no indication at all you need to be familiar with the genre.  And..., what ever pace don't stick to it like a machine.