Favorite slow movements from LvB piano sonatas

[aquablob]

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?

[marvinbrown]

   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

[aquablob]

   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.

[prémont]

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.

[sidoze]

I like the Andante of op. 28, the so-called Pastorale sonata.

[Gabriel]

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" ).

[Mark]

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.

[George]

Op. 111 and 110 final movements.

And the Pathetique.  0:)

[Steve]

Another vote for No. 15, "Pastoral".

I would also add the Andante to No. 10.

[Bonehelm]

2nd movement of Pathetique sonata played by Jeno Jando.

[Holden]

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!

[val]

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

[prémont]

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?

[George]

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.

[sidoze]

Indeed!!

I will add that any of the slow movements in Gilels hands are second to none.

Have you heard Levy?

[Holden]

Which movement do you look upon as the slow movement of no.18?

Ooops, Finger slip - should have been #28

[Soundproof]

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.

[George]

Have you heard Levy?

I haven't.

[Opus106]

Ooh...

Listening to the second movement of Op. 22 as I type.

[Josquin des Prez]

The Arietta from the Opus 111. This was pretty easy.