Schiff Dicusses Beethoven's COMPLETE Piano Sonatas

[Grazioso]

this is brilliant, is there anything else like this?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/discoveringmusic/audioarchive.shtml

[PerfectWagnerite]

Already these lectures have taught me a lot. It has introduced me to a masterpiece that I have not really known before: the Op. 7 (especially the final movement !). Also, Schiff, in the Pathetique talks about how there is no crescendo leading to the main allegro of the first movement and you almost always hear other pianist take that crescendo. I haven't check all my Pathetique recordings yet but at least Giles takes a crescendo. Giles I guess also takes the little dot above the quarter notes to mean staccato yet Schiff says they are really accent marks. Anyway, really interesting.

[George]

Already these lectures have taught me a lot. It has introduced me to a masterpiece that I have not really known before: the Op. 7 (especially the final movement !). Also, Schiff, in the Pathetique talks about how there is no crescendo leading to the main allegro of the first movement and you almost always hear other pianist take that crescendo. I haven't check all my Pathetique recordings yet but at least Giles takes a crescendo. Giles I guess also takes the little dot above the quarter notes to mean staccato yet Schiff says they are really accent marks. Anyway, really interesting.

Yes, these are quite special. I would be interested to hear just who obeys the composers markings in this work. 

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

"Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic."

Although I'm getting the above warning, I still want to express my thanks to PerfectWagnerite for this great link. And by so doing, others who might be interested will be alerted to this highly enjoyable and educational find, too...

[PerfectWagnerite]

"Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic."

Although I'm getting the above warning, I still want to express my thanks to PerfectWagnerite for this great link. And by so doing, others who might be interested will be alerted to this highly enjoyable and educational find, too...

Don't thank me. I found it on Amazon in one of the reviewer's comments. I am not sure where I saw it...I think it was in A. Oland's Beethoven PS listing.

Yeah it is very very interesting stuff from Schiff. He also brings out some neglected masterpieces like the Op.7 sonata. His playing of the entire final movement of this piece is simply astonishing.

[c#minor]

I sure am glad Jeztha put this thread back near the top, great lectures! Thanks!!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I sure am glad Jezetha put this thread back near the top, great lectures! Thanks!!

I just listened to Schiff's discussion of the Waldstein Sonata - inspiring stuff. It's so interesting to hear someone speak from the inside of Beethoven's music. Beethoven is drama, and Schiff's journey through this work is completely engrossing.

I know what I'll be doing the coming weeks...

[jwinter]

Yes, thanks again for this thread.  Schiff's lectures have been living on my iPod for a while now, great stuff...

[gmstudio]

"Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic."

Although I'm getting the above warning, I still want to express my thanks to PerfectWagnerite for this great link. And by so doing, others who might be interested will be alerted to this highly enjoyable and educational find, too...

One of those "others" is me...thanks for bouncing this topic back up!

[JoshLilly]

This is fascinating stuff!! I never would have known about it if not for the bumping.
I've listened only to the first segment. I admit, in advance I was dreading he'd take up the same old deal with pretending there were only 3 composers on the entire planet from 1770 to 1810, but I was pleasantly surprised (stunned, really) that he mentioned 2 less well-knowns. I hope that he continues this, as Beethoven was highly influenced by French composers (including Cherubini), and I'm certain he must have been familiar with the piano music of Dussek.

[imperfection]

http://music.guardian.co.uk/classical/page/0,,1943867,00.html

I found this lecture very insightful, especially to pianists. Hope you find it as enjoyable as I did. 

[Opus106]

Welcome back. Long time, no see.

That's a very nice set of lectures indeed. While I don't understand everything he says about the sonatas (exactly those useful to the pianists ), I find some parts very useful as a listener. For example, how Beethoven transforms the material in the early part of the sonata later in the movement, or in another movement, or in another sonata altogether. I also noticed that he is quick to admonish playing techniques/interpretation adopted by some pianists. And the occasional dry humour is always appreciated. [Oh, and here's another thread on the lectures.]