VIDEO: Beethoven Sonata no.22 Op.54

[rachmanny]

Enjoy!

[mjames]

what is up with that first movement? The material (beethoven not you) is appalling. Is this the same composer that wrote the waldstein and appassionata?? 2nd movement is better written tho.

ANYWAYS, liked your playing though! 2nd movement looked pretty tough. Also like your pun "RACHMANNI"

ahahahaahhaah

[rachmanny]

Hi mjames!

Agreed that the first movement is a bit underdeveloped in ideas, with its central purpose presenting a contrast between a feminine theme that goes nowhere, and the more thunderous octaves. The second movement is the complete opposite, always modulating and moving forward.

If I recall correctly, Andras Schiff postulated that this sonata was a parody of the underdeveloped composition (by some composers) of the time, and that Beethoven wanted to shed some humor into the lack of creativity. Being a sonata that is written between the Appassionata and the Waldstein, I find this hard to believe. Maybe the ulterior motives can be found in what happened in his life in Vienna at the time, 1804, leading me to think that LVB might have thought the piece to be more royal than perceived today.

Thanks for the comment and glad you like my rachmanny pun