George's recent Beethoven piano sonata thread prompted me to start this one. Which slow movements in these works do you find particularly compelling?
To pick three to start with, I'll take Op. 10/3, Op. 22, and Op. 106.
Of these, the "Hammerklavier" slow movement is probably the most well known. It's incredibly long but simply gorgeous. Played in the right hands (Solomon, Kempff, Gilels, amongst others), this movement seemingly transports me to another world.
I bet the slow movement from Op. 10/3 is also a common favorite. Amongst the earlier sonatas, I'd say this is probably the "deepest" slow movement. It is longing, and truly builds as it tells its story. It also fits into the higher architecture of the sonata just right. Bruce Hungerford takes his sweet time playing this (he takes over 11 minutes!), milking it for all it's worth, but it never drags. This particular interpretation is a bit unexpected from Hungerford, as I certainly wouldn't categorize his pianism as "heart-on-sleeve."
The Op. 22 slow movement is probably one of the lesser known, but it is pure delight, whether played on the slow side or the fast side. Most pianists seem to take somewhere between 6.5 and 8.5 minutes (a wide range, I know), but Gulda takes 5:30 and Arrau takes over 10! As long as it's played with great expression, I really don't care how quickly or slowly the pianist takes it. It's such a well-crafted, witty movement, like a little piece of sonic heaven!
Anyway, what are your favorites?
Two obvious choices: the slow movements of the "Moonlight" and the "Pathetique" OH GOD the "Pathetique" what a masterpeice 0:)....The pathetique is truely special- it affects me so deeply, I have the Gulda set and despite the overall quick tempo Gulda packs a powerful emotional punch when he plays that sonata.
marvin
Quote from: marvinbrown on July 24, 2007, 12:16:22 PM
Two obvious choices: the slow movements of the "Moonlight" and the "Pathetique" OH GOD the "Pathetique" what a masterpeice 0:)....The pathetique is truely special- it affects me so deeply, I have the Gulda set and despite the overall quick tempo Gulda packs a powerful emotional punch when he plays that sonata.
marvin
Yes, two obvious but excellent choices! And I agree about Gulda (regarding quick tempo without losing impact), in this sonata and most of the others. The "Moonlight" (I hate calling it that, but that's what it's known as...) is an interesting example, of course, because the slow movement is the first of the piece! It's not the
only time Beethoven did this, but it certainly is a quality that makes this sonata stand out.
Quote from: aquariuswb on July 24, 2007, 11:41:05 AM
George's recent Beethoven piano sonata thread prompted me to start this one. Which slow movements in these works do you find particularly compelling?
To pick three to start with, I'll take Op. 10/3, Op. 22, and Op. 106.
My choices at very much like yours. Sonatas no. 7 and 29. And I would add no. 2, 12, 14 and 15.
I like the Andante of op. 28, the so-called Pastorale sonata.
A personal favourite is the Adagio of the 3rd piano sonata. No words for it (of course; otherwise it would be a "cantata" instead of a "sonata" ;)).
Man, I hate this use of Opus numbers when common numbering exists for classical works. ;)
With this in mind, I must go for THE most obvious choice: the opening movement of the No. 14. A timeless piece of music, it's been impressed upon my heart and soul since I was about seven years old, maybe younger. As to whom I'd wish it played by, there can be only one (not obvious) choice: Peter Rosel. His recording ('79?) of this work in its entirety thrills me every time I hear it. :)
Op. 111 and 110 final movements.
And the Pathetique. 0:)
Another vote for No. 15, "Pastoral".
I would also add the Andante to No. 10.
2nd movement of Pathetique sonata played by Jeno Jando.
Beethoven was the master of the slow movement, managing to imbue most of them with the most wonderful pathos. His greatest slow movement is the one from the Hammerklavier. That said many others come to mind but for me No 7 has so many ways to be interpreted it's a masterpiece in itself. I'd also add #3, #17 and #18 as close to top of my list. The slow movement of the Appassionata, in the right hands, is a tour de force. But if I had to choose a second place to the slow movement of the 29th PS it would be the Arietta from Op 111. This is music making at it's most spiritual and when you've heard the likes of Arrau, Barenboim (EMI) and Levy play this you are just blown away!
I would say all of them.
But in fact I have some preferences:
1 Adagio of the opus 106
2 Adagio of the opus 110
3 Andante of opus 109
4 Largo of the opus 10/3
5 Adagio of the opus 2/3
6 Largo of the opus 7
7 Andante of the opus 28
8 Adagio of the opus 31/2
And the initial motif of the Arietta of the opus 111
Quote from: Holden on July 25, 2007, 12:22:43 AM
I'd also add #3, #17 and #18 as close to top of my list.
Which movement do you look upon as the slow movement of no.18?
Quote from: Holden on July 25, 2007, 12:22:43 AM
Beethoven was the master of the slow movement, managing to imbue most of them with the most wonderful pathos. His greatest slow movement is the one from the Hammerklavier. That said many others come to mind but for me No 7 has so many ways to be interpreted it's a masterpiece in itself. I'd also add #3, #17 and #18 as close to top of my list. The slow movement of the Appassionata, in the right hands, is a tour de force. But if I had to choose a second place to the slow movement of the 29th PS it would be the Arietta from Op 111. This is music making at it's most spiritual and when you've heard the likes of Arrau, Barenboim (EMI) and Levy play this you are just blown away!
Indeed!!
I will add that any of the slow movements in Gilels hands are second to none.
Quote from: George on July 25, 2007, 06:15:05 AM
Indeed!!
I will add that any of the slow movements in Gilels hands are second to none.
Have you heard Levy?
Quote from: premont on July 25, 2007, 01:40:30 AM
Which movement do you look upon as the slow movement of no.18?
Ooops, Finger slip - should have been #28
Quote from: val on July 25, 2007, 01:02:48 AM
I would say all of them.
But in fact I have some preferences:
8 Adagio of the opus 31/2
There are so many to choose from, but this is my favourite.
Ooh...
Listening to the second movement of Op. 22 as I type.
The Arietta from the Opus 111. This was pretty easy.
For me, no doubt my favorite is the Adagio from the Piano Sonata #29,Hammerklavier, Op. 106
Quote from: ChamberNut on January 23, 2009, 09:37:55 AM
For me, no doubt my favorite is the Adagio from the Piano Sonata #29,Hammerklavier, Op. 106
That is a nice one, I like what Kempff does with it.
The prayer-like slow movement to the Appassionata has always been my favorite.
Quote from: hornteacher on January 23, 2009, 03:43:30 PM
The prayer-like slow movement to the Appassionata has always been my favorite.
Interesting, this is one that I haven't ever warmed to. Which pianists do you like in this movement?
Quote from: George on January 23, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
Interesting, this is one that I haven't ever warmed to. Which pianists do you like in this movement?
I know this sounds weird as it is not a "standard" choice, but I love John O'Conor's entire cycle. The sound is just so good. Just the right distance from the mic and beautiful tone.
Quote from: George on January 23, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
Interesting, this is one that I haven't ever warmed to. Which pianists do you like in this movement?
I can go even go so far to say I dislike that movement and generally skip the track when I listen to Appassionata. To me it is a nuisance between two great movements. >:D
Hard to pick just a dozen favorites, or even two dozen. But I'll stick with four, making the selection even more impossible :D
#8 C minor Op.13 "Pathétique" - Adagio cantabile My single favorite bit of Beethoven
#19 G minor Op.49/1 - Andante I like the simple beauty; for some reason this reminds me of Bach
#25 G major Op.79 - Andante Less than three minutes long, but haunting
#31 A flat Op.110 - Adagio ma non troppo Short, but devastatingly to the point
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 25, 2009, 10:21:12 AM
Hard to pick just a dozen favorites, or even two dozen. But I'll stick with four, making the selection even more impossible :D
#8 C minor Op.13 "Pathétique" - Adagio cantabile My single favorite bit of Beethoven
Did you see the movie "The Man Who Wasn't There?"
Quote
#31 A flat Op.110 - Adagio ma non troppo Short, but devastatingly to the point
Yes, that sonata remains my favorite of the 32.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 25, 2009, 10:21:12 AM
#25 G major Op.79 - Andante
#31 A flat Op.110 - Adagio ma non troppo
These, plus Andante of op.28
Quote from: George on January 23, 2009, 04:23:20 PM
Interesting, this is one [Op. 57 slow movement] that I haven't ever warmed to. Which pianists do you like in this movement?
Quote from: orbital on January 25, 2009, 02:32:21 AM
I can go even go so far to say I dislike that movement and generally skip the track when I listen to Appassionata. To me it is a nuisance between two great movements. >:D
:o :o :o
(Love it!!! Different strokes, eh? :))
Quote from: aquariuswb on January 25, 2009, 01:38:05 PM
:o :o :o
(Love it!!! Different strokes, eh? :))
Who do you like playing it? Perhaps that makes the difference ?
Quote from: George on January 25, 2009, 01:39:53 PM
Who do you like playing it? Perhaps that makes the difference ?
Anybody competent!
Richter (RCA, Moscow 1960)
Horowitz (RCA "Gold Seal")
Brendel (most recent Philips)
Arrau
Pollini (oddly enough, BOTH the recent studio and live versions)
Cziffra
Solomon
Casadesus
Gilels
Kempff (mono)
I've enjoyed listening to all of these. Funny when I think about it: unlike many other pieces/movements, I can't say I find one or two especially more convincing than the others here, despite the wide variety of stylistic/interpretative approaches. I just really like this music! :D
I imagine that it's the movement you dislike rather than the performances in this case (which is perfectly legitimate!), but I obviously can't speak for you.
Quote from: George on January 25, 2009, 10:28:38 AM
Did you see the movie "The Man Who Wasn't There?"
Yeah, Scarlett Johansson's character played it.
Sarge
Quote from: Drasko on January 25, 2009, 11:03:29 AM
These, plus Andante of op.28
That would have been my fifth choice.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 27, 2009, 10:31:02 AM
Yeah, Scarlett Johansson's character played it.
Sarge
I LOVE that movie!
Quote from: ' on January 28, 2009, 06:18:45 PM
Op. 7, Esp have liked the Michelangeli recording.'
Yeah, he plays the whole sonata really well.