Most Exciting 3rd Movement of LvB Appassionata

[Zhiliang]

Hi,

I need a recommendation for the most exciting, emotionally charged and rhythmically dynamic of Beethoven's Appassionata's 3rd movement.

Thanks a lot.

[rappy]

I you want it to be really fast ( = exciting?), pick Richter!

[samuel]

The most exciting third movement - as well as first movement - I've heard is Moravec's recording from the 60s (VAI Audio, possibly reissued on Supraphon???). In fact, all his Beethoven recordings from the 60s are thoroughly stunning.

[Holden]

The most exciting third movement - as well as first movement - I've heard is Moravec's recording from the 60s (VAI Audio, possibly reissued on Supraphon???). In fact, all his Beethoven recordings from the 60s are thoroughly stunning.

This is one I have not heard and would really like to as many people rave about it.

For me there are three that stand out.

Rubinstein - especially his 1945 performance

Richter with the Moscow 1960 my preference but his Carnegie Hall recital and the subsequent studio recording in NY also being very good (and in stereo).

But the one I return to most frequently is the recording the Emil Gilels made in Moscow in 1961 which is part of the Brilliant Classics Gilels box. This has everything and right from the first three downwardy spiralling notes this is a superb performance.

You can hear the whole thing here.

Just click on preview to listen though I think you have to register first. The site can be viewed in English as well as Russian.

[(poco) Sforzando]

In his edition, Hans von Bülow wrote of the slow movement, "This movement is apt to be played as much too slowly as the finale is too quickly." Beethoven's tempo for the finale is Allegro non troppo. Fast but not too fast.

[Josquin des Prez]

This is not even a competition. Moravec > all, hands down.

[Peregrine]

There was/is an outrageously manic final movement from Fiorentino that was knocking around on the web. I think it was the only part of the sonata that was left from a recording from the 60's. Has anyone else heard it? Quite stunning in it's intensity, but after that I'ld go Richter, naturally...

[Zhiliang]

Thanks for all the recommendations, actually not referring to speed when mentioning exciting, but more of one having a strong rhythmic drive that keeps you at the edge of the seat and of course intensity. The Moravec sounds interesting....

[dirkronk]

There was/is an outrageously manic final movement from Fiorentino that was knocking around on the web. I think it was the only part of the sonata that was left from a recording from the 60's. Has anyone else heard it? Quite stunning in it's intensity, but after that I'ld go Richter, naturally...

Yes. And I'd have to rate Fiorentino's excerpt as one of--if not THE--most exciting. Not just fast, though it certainly is (was) that, but powerful and articulate, as well. Wish it were still available; it seems to have disappeared...the links I once had for it are no longer working. If anyone knows where it is, would you please share the info? 

Otherwise, my choices are pretty thoroughly reflected by Holden's list. I do have the Moravec on original vinyl--I like it a great deal, and his interp is distinctly his, and yes, he should certainly be heard. That said, I'd put Richter ahead of him in this piece. Just my opinion, of course.

Cheers,

Dirk

[(poco) Sforzando]

Again, I support my contention that the main part of the movement ought to be played at a more moderate pace than is often heard. The main evidence for this comes from Beethoven's Allegro non troppo; but this is confirmed as well by the coda, which is marked Presto. Too fast a tempo for the main section obliterates this contrast, as in Schnabel, whose finale is so fast he has virtually no room to accelerate. Rosen, in his recent book on the sonatas, in fact maintains that the Presto ought to be nearly twice as fast as the main body.

Fiorentino as I recall does not take the repeat in the finale. But although Bülow in his edition argued strongly against the repeat, I would consider it essential. Beethoven in fact scrawled in pencil on the manuscript, "La seconda parte due volte," and it is the only example in all his works where the development/recapitulation of a sonata form is marked for repetition while the exposition is not. Among other things, taking the repeat gives the movement more of the character of a rondo, as a new theme is stated shortly after the start of the development. As I recall, Richter also strongly advocated taking this repeat.

[val]

Zhiliang


I need a recommendation for the most exciting, emotionally charged and rhythmically dynamic of Beethoven's Appassionata's 3rd movement.

The most exciting is perhaps the version of Sviatoslav Richter (RCA). But the same Richter was more touching in his version live in Praga, although this one is less perfect.

[ezodisy]

There was/is an outrageously manic final movement from Fiorentino that was knocking around on the web. I think it was the only part of the sonata that was left from a recording from the 60's. Has anyone else heard it? Quite stunning in it's intensity, but after that I'ld go Richter, naturally...

The Fiorentino is amazing, absolutely. However if I listen to this work now, my favourite and the most exciting for me is Arrau. It is one of the slower finales but I find it very deep and sensitive, more revealing than most other ones. My only complaint is that I would prefer it without the repeat. There are some live performances of him playing it on Youtube, an "early" one from '65 that is very good.

[(poco) Sforzando]

My only complaint is that I would prefer it without the repeat.

Why? On the basis of the evidence, Beethoven considered this repeat of especial importance.

[ezodisy]

Why? On the basis of the evidence, Beethoven considered this repeat of especial importance.

I don't have a specific reason other than that it doesn't sound right to me. Same for both first movements of the Chopin sonatas, I find that such long repetitions interfere with a well-developed mood, or set of moods, I suppose. To go back to the beginning when you're already deep into the narrative feels wrong in these 3 cases, especially for the Appassionata where the finale is so tempestuous and determined, something like a fatalistic plunge, starting again feels counterintuitive. Sorry Sforz but I never pay attention to logic or reasons 

[B_cereus]

...

But the one I return to most frequently is the recording the Emil Gilels made in Moscow in 1961 which is part of the Brilliant Classics Gilels box. This has everything and right from the first three downwardy spiralling notes this is a superb performance.

You can hear the whole thing here.

Just click on preview to listen though I think you have to register first. The site can be viewed in English as well as Russian.

Wonderful review of it in this essay.

extract quote:

"It is full of wrong notes, and played on what sounds like a decidedly dodgy piano, and for all I know, the only thing that Gilels was angry about (and by God is he angry) was the fact that it was a bad piano and that by his reckoning he was, notes-wise, having a bit of an off day playing it. It begins with a grotesquely late edit, as if they only just remembered that they were supposed to be recording the damn thing."

[(poco) Sforzando]

But the one I return to most frequently is the recording the Emil Gilels made in Moscow in 1961 which is part of the Brilliant Classics Gilels box. This has everything and right from the first three downwardy spiralling notes this is a superb performance.

You can hear the whole thing here.

Just click on preview to listen though I think you have to register first. The site can be viewed in English as well as Russian.

I tried doing that and got the first movement of the Pathetique.

[Holden]

I tried doing that and got the first movement of the Pathetique.

Yes, as this is the first track of the whole album. If you are using WMP or similar you can click through track by track. The download will need to rebuffer but it doesn't take long.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Yes, as this is the first track of the whole album. If you are using WMP or similar you can click through track by track. The download will need to rebuffer but it doesn't take long.

Thanks, I'll try that tonight.