Claudio Arrau - Beethoven Sonata No. 32 - 2nd Mvmt. (2/2)

[mariibr12]

Claudio Arrau is one of the greatest pianists of ever and ever. For me he is the greatest of all pianists. His only way to understand Beethoven is unique, his spirituality and emotionality superb. His musical line ascends to Franz Liszt. The Sonata Opus 11 is not about dead, but about life ! but not this life, some thing transcending it at all...

[mrcpianist]

7:47 - 8:50 - A heck of a lot harder than it looks... It's like the death of me

[GlennMagusHarvey]

By the way, I don't think people really point this out much, compared to the "jazz variation", but in this second half of the piece, Beethoven also pioneers ambience.

[GlennMagusHarvey]

2:33-2:44 oh my goodness so magical

6:54-7:08 once again, so magical

[Gibson29]

I wonder how much that room is vibrating from about 6:56 - 7:08.

[JocastaViridian]

The ending makes me so happy :D

[cirosuperiore]

no one plays it better.

[oilorio82]

A wonderful interpreter to play the greatest of all musics.

[Laudan08]

At 9:31 Beethoven closes a chapter in the development of piano pieces, and opens a page for the other composers.

[stevej061069]

I wouldn't want to meet Beethoven. it might spoil the magic to see that he was actually an ordinary man, small, nothing outstanding to behold. I would maybe love to be able to view him discreetly from a distance, but actually meet him ? No. let's retain the spellbinding magic of this music for what it is. Superhuman, incapable of being penned by an ordinary mortal.

[Alpasonic]

@stevej061069 I am afraid that more likely it would be Beethoven who get annoyed to unexpectedly encounter ordinary man in exaltation state of mind, who were expecting to see somebody like Schwarzenegger.

[TheJoyfulPianist]

to play a piece like this must be almost too much for the heart. So extraordinary. I love you Beethoven.

[GlennMagusHarvey]

@TheJoyfulPianist It is hard to hold back tears when listening to or playing this.

[felipilloo1984]

Ist dies etwa der Tod?

[enzitox28]

M-A-E-S-T-R-O!! de mi chile lindo :D!!

[Gibson29]

Also, starting around 5:30 or so, has got to be the greatest "outro" of any piece of music ever written.

[Gibson29]

Arrau has such beautiful piano hands, nice long thumbs and proportionate fingers.

[Gibson29]

@Gibson29 Coming back to this recording half a year later, I have to say that it now it surpasses the Ashkenazy recording I love so much.  I don't have my CD case here with me but I believe it was recorded sometime between 1974-1982 with the Decca Record Co.

[sunpowernatural]

Arrau so gets Beethoven's spirituality. Op.111 to me is Ludwig speaking to God. I wrote and produced a play, "Beethoven: Heaven's Voice," and it boggles my mind that Beethoven overcame so much to create his later works like this one: His deafness, his ill health, troubles with his nephew Karl, money issues. Beethoven, so many triumphs, but this is one of his greatest.

[quarknugget]

I want this to be the last song I ever hear.

[ilkinond]

@quarknugget Yes, it's all about death, isn't it?

[quarknugget]

@ilkinond Hell yes.

[toneeeeeee]

The C-sharps at the 8:35 and 8:43 are Beethoven's farewell kisses. Goodbye Beethoven! You've done more for the humanity than a million Popes and Scientists.

[jeflehardi91]

Franchement ... la meilleure interprétation !! les autres le jouent trop rapide a mon gout !

La, c'est... divin !

Je l'ai écouté pendant longtemps avant de m'endormir ou seul dans le canapé dans le noir et vous êtes envahi de sentiment de beauté étrange !

Au départ si comme moi vous n'etes pas très habitué au classique, c'est une oeuvre un peu difficile mais après plusieurs écoutes ... vous planez !

[etiennegirard1]

2:34 omg

[dubitz11]

There IS a God in Heaven - and He created Beethoven with a lot of love and care, so that he could tell us what Heaven is like.

[yusukeundisolde]

danke！

[brimelka]

That's what people said, when they heard it back then. It is high art, and not everyone can crack this nut both in playing and understanding. And you are so right! It does not sounds like Beethoven! Because, at that time, Beethoven heard music that we cannot. He was deaf. And what he discovered in this sonata is universe with unlimited possibilities. You need to listen last 6 sonatas. But, I am afraid you need someone to tune you.

[frozenghost233]

doesnt sound like beethoven. I dont like this one very much.

[iambanzo]

@frozenghost233 are you kidding? this is arguably one of beethoven's greatest works (final 5 piano sonatas, final 5 string quartets). those completely separate him from any composer before or since

[frozenghost233]

@iambanzo I sorta disagree. But, every artist or musician has their own opinion.

[felipilloo1984]

Beethoven's last piano sonata, and perhaps the last piano sonata.

[gordonsta2]

Ludwig and the universe. The Einstein of all music.

[op111emdh]

quien es ateo despues de escuchar esto?.. Dios nacio en Bonn

[clindt]

Beethoven was a negro.

[gouloum2222]

@clindt OK

[buggfire]

@clindt would you deign to expound on that?

[canummare]

Quando ha composto quest'ultima sonata, Beethoven era completamente sordo, aveva segato le gambe del pianoforte per sentire le vibrazioni delle note...qui, nell'interpretazione del grande Arrau del secondo movimeto, è il bene che vince sul male...

[gerardbedecarter]

Sublime!

[billywongting]

my favorite is from 7:40

it seems so pure and.....clean

sorry that's difficult to find a word to describe the last part

[roozbehab]

The greatest piano movement among all 32 piano sonatas.

[drube]

I loooove the left hands playing beginning at 2:54 - this wonderful unbelievable wave. Beethoven wrote music like I am - it is my music.

When 25 I started playing piano with his moonlight sonata. I never had piano lessons but I *wanted* to play it and i got it.

I hope one far day I will have the honor to play this sonata - his master piece ...

Thank you Ludwig, for all the moments you took me out of my life up to the stars.

And thank you Claudio - he would have been very satisfied with you :-)

[walti945]

@drube

Why didn't you start with the Appasssionata? ;-)

[iaquil]

@drube Very nice thought, very nice...everything is a matter of "wishing"...it gives hope...thanks!

[gerardbedecarter]

@roozbehab :  Certainly!

[iambanzo]

@roozbehab it is great.  although for me it is 2nd favorite of those works, i prefer the final movement to the 31st piano sonata

[jeffamarie]

Close your eyes, and imagine going to a planet where beings manipulate the very air, make it vibrate with art, or rearrange the very composition of the Universe into a language capable of replacing the tension of nations with the tension of two competing waves of pressure.

Open your eyes - you're there already.

[EinFremderAusElea]

Frivolity after piety,

shock after frivolity,

ailment after shock,

piety after ailment,

steadiness after piety.

[dajohnthomas69]

This never ceases to amaze me. Sheer genius. I have this on record and seeing it doesn't add much for hearing, but it does show Arrau's total immersion into his playing, the commitment, the dedication. At the same time bowing to the masters music and just creating this monument of beauty. It is uncanny and outworldly, downright incomprehensible; but what art it gives us!

[Oxenoverborragia]

In this peace we can just wonder the depth of the greatest of all pianists after Liszt. Technics (not superficial fingerbeatings), profundity, transcendence. Thánks for this video!!!

[drawcomics]

love watching his hands... so relaxed and natural, like he's just letting his fingers drop onto the keys.

[Ray0X0]

As Martha Argerich said once.. Claudio Arrau set an unbeatable standard on Beethoven...

[semieuphoric]

In all of music there is nothing more transcendent than this piece. And no performer of it more transcending than Arrau.

[cirosuperiore]

what did beethoven get in return from us for this priceless gems?

i'm sure never enough

[HilarioGP]

Let me tell you: just 30 ducats for this sonata.

[dajohnthomas69]

I think Beethoven must have grinned when he wrote this sonata."I'll bequeath mankind music they won't be able to play during my lifetime, apart from it's content. Untill Claudio Arrau is born":-) This has such depth and nuance in unwinding the material. Always get tears in my eyes from 5.32 and somewhere at 6.38. This is simply unbelievable and touches...just touches... thank you posting this

[yonoid818]

What trills!

[sequoianorcal]

A great realization of one of Mankind's greatest treasures: Beethoven's farewell to the piano.

[grakelonio]

This is not music. Is a miraculous peace and happiness message for us.

Thank you, Mr. Beethoven.

Thank you, Mr Arrau.

Thank you, Spexter1337.

[MissLovett93]

beautiful

[joesullins]

2:54 is just miraculous.

[drube]

@joesullins

Yes - this wonderful wave ... I always cry when getting to this.

What a music!

[billyguns2]

Whenever I think of pianists and trills I think of Arrau, who had the best trill of them all.

[clindt]

Just listen to Beethoven pumping in the final of his last Symphony and then listen to what happens from 00:40 to 03:05.

[stagesix6]

why?

[shadishadyshadi]

how about no

[libetta]

there's no such word in the dictionary except for youtube devils who insists on defining such term

[Anjro0]

if i could meet one person in history. him. no hesitation

[Desmonddd2002]

Beethoven or Arrau?

I will meet both :)

[Ray0X0]

@Desmonddd2002:

Ludwig van Beethoven = Genius on musical composition

Claudio Arrau León = Genius on expressive interpretation

[AllUserNamesTaken111]

@Anjro0 beethoven or arrau?

[xiameister]

@Anjro0 me, too

[xiameister]

@Anjro0 me, too

[aschscha]

@Anjro0 beethoven or arrau??

[VivaRenata]

@Anjro0 if you mean Beethoven, Ditto!

[fightinboner]

@Anjro0 Claudio Arrau, or Beethoven?

[TheChaos92]

@Anjro0

Beethoven or Claudio Arrau?

[TheManSAberi]

kuerti is also a sublime interpretation

[Ray0X0]

La parte desde el minuto 7:40 debe ser realmente complicada de lograr en buena forma!, pero Arrau lo toca como si fuera fácil hacerlo.

[Ray0X0]

«Permaneció tumbado, sin conocimiento, desde las 3 de la tarde hasta las 5 pasadas. De repente hubo un relámpago, acompañado de un violento trueno y la habitación del moribundo quedó iluminada por una luz cegadora. Tras ese repentino fenómeno, Beethoven abrió los ojos, levantó la mano derecha, con el puño cerrado y una expresión amenazadora, como si tratara de decir: «¡Potencias hostiles, os desafío!, ¡Marchaos! ¡Dios está conmigo!»

Sobre la muerte de Beethoven, 27/03/1827.

[mlr2107]

and i can't wait to play this for my senior recital in two years!

[timpanitimptim]

What institution are you studying at?

[mlr2107]

florida state starting next fall

[mlr2107]

my favorite beethoven piece..I heard  this played live about 3 years ago by one of my teachers and when he was done..i looked around and everyone in the hall was tearing up including me a little..there was about 5 seconds of just silence after he finished it before all the clapping. It is the most memorable recital i have ever heard still to this day. I also think this piece is the one that symbolizes the bridge from the classical to romantic period of music..anyone else agree? LUV U BEETHOVEN!

[aspacguy1]

not just to romantic period.. there's some parts that connects to other periods.. i heard somewhere he wrote the last 5 sonatas not only for his time but for all eternity

[cdera01]

esta pieza la compuso un extraterrestre

[marcolinoz]

Preciosa parte 2:54

[largemoose]

"beatiful in c minor beethoven's favorite key full of energy and lonliness"

the Variations are in C Major.

[largemoose]

"The recapitulation quality of the 5th variation represents a profound reminiscence, summation, and resolution"

it always sounded to me like Beethoven was reconciled with himself.

[FirenzeRegna2]

Al minuto 2:01 si affaccia l'ombra della 9° sinfonia... .

[gordonsta2]

They (great piano performances) don't come much better than this.

[mestreliszt]

well I think is the best version! Is incrediblee!

[ANDREBARO92]

listen to michelangeli's one please

[whenultra]

To me it shows the mortality fading away and the uncertainty of tommorows. Well played, though you can hear the influence of Alfred Brendel in this performance, usually you can't, Arrau is his own interpreter. It is a sad and beautiful movement.

[Oxenoverborragia]

Well, sadly, Brendel wasn't humble enough to have classes by Arrau...

[snowyyyyyyyy]

beatiful in c minor beethoven's favorite key full of energy and lonliness

[Anjro0]

The recapitulation quality of the 5th variation represents a profound reminiscence, summation, and resolution, if carefully considered. The last fully realized variation of the theme, the perfect cadence ending Var5 proper marks the beginning of the apotheotic coda section - flash, fade, and solute which closes the sonatas. This simple turn on the theme's closing cadence is, a heartbreak made ironic by its triumph.

[mrvexingparse]

great analysis, thanks for sharing

[Anjro0]

by the 'perfect cadence at the end of Var5 proper' I mean 6:45, including its harmonic turns from 6:45 to 6:55, and the coda would of course be the rest of the piece. What a sublime chart

[Anjro0]

6:50 {C-AAGF A-FF(Dm)-F(dim)-F(G7)} is pretty much the moment im talking about in all these posts (see below). I apologize for my lack of concision. 6:50 is a triumph, because for the very first time in the fifteen otherworldly minutes of the movement, that final cadence you've heard basically unchanged 8 times (with varying drama in between) awakens and takes stride in the harmonic rhetoric of the coda.  A powerful moment with juggernaut momentum and overwhelming emotional context.

[derhawk]

this is incredible, what a life

[eliotswann]

My favourite piece of music ever too. No question. I cry every time.

[sjwright76]

its like looking up at the sky on a clear night and seeing all the stars of the universe stretching out to infinity

[brassmonkeyjew]

@sjwright76

FOGGOT!

[iaquil]

@sjwright76 Nice thought, very nice.

[crcummings46]

This is my favorite of the sonatas! Beethoven takes the opening theme and keeps transforming it and building on it - and when you think it can't possibly get better Beethoven keep going until the breathtaking end. If that isn't enough, in the beginning there a moment where you hear the birth of ragtime or stride piano!

[thegoddescomposer]

is like beethoven want to say goodbye to every one , this sonate is gold, beethoven is a genius

[WhiteAbenaki]

I like Arrau's performance the best of the others I've heard. Mitsuko Uchida plays it nicely too.

[cuorevio]

pazzeskamente bello!!!!!!!! magnifika interpretazione!!!!!una kapacità straordinaria nell'utilizzo delle varie gradazioni sonore!!stupendo!

[victorjara23]

beatiful

[juanma88ct]

this movement played by arrau is actually my favorite piece of music ever.

[AlexPhisicalT]

Beethoven was the man!!!!!

[BachFong11]

This movement is very very spiritual.

[aldebussy]

He savours every each note.

[TONICOSWORTH]

N'étant généralement pas un grand fan d'Arrau, je suis d'autant plus à l'aise pour m'extasier sur l'arietta (plus que sur l'Allegro, quoique très bon aussi).

Une chose me frappe: alors que tant de pianistes -et non des moindres- sont complètement passés à côté du point d'inflexion magique de la 5° contre variation (2'32") Arrau, lui, la met en exergue de façon presque caricaturale; c'est trop pour moi, mais à tout prendre je préfère ça à passer complètement à côté comme Nat Bachaus et autres...

[orcamocha]

Thanks a million for posting this video!

Greatest Beethoven sonata ever.

[zungitus]

Thank you. It's incredible to listen to this music...other world...fascinating, extraordinary

[centaurdo]

Thank you! Beautiful.

[juancillo]

....bravo, maestro,.......

[pollekepetaatekop]

Played very profound but sometimes a little bit slow. I prefer the version of Stephen Bishop-Kovacevic, an even more mystic one. Beethovens most meditative sonata, the quintessence of all 32. Indeed breathtaking. Thanks for posting this precious stone.

[claudibilis]

Arrau, lo mejor

[lordlactose]

how come barely anyone likes classical music? All these people listen to rap... Jesus whats up with people

[redrothko]

thanks for uploading this .. i've been waiting a long time after seeing the 1st mvment -) does anybody know where/when/what he was playing for?

[khalamath]

Filmed in Paris, 1970. No more information is available in the EMI Classics (classic archive) DVD box .[DVB 4928399]. This recording may not have been extracted from my EMI source reference.

Greetings!

[LeChukc]

Breathtaking. Like water flowing. The op. 111 is arguably Beethoven's greatest piano sonata, and Arrau plays it better than anyone (with the possible exception of Michelangeli, depending on tastes).

[lhiram23]

I agree. I'm not an Arrau fan (despite he's my favourite in Brahms..). Here, i have the impression to touch the essence of Beethoven and his spiritual meaning. I've heard only once something very similar: Sviatoslav Richter in a rare live recording. Thanks you Spexter1337

[vodkaweiser]

this is no song you moron!

[tremendousOt]

beethoven called this an aria, with variations.

an aria is a song.

and arrau certainly plays with the most singing touch.

[wanderer300]

I'm Italian: Beethoven calls the Arietta: "adagio molto semplice e cantabile". Literally means: slow, very simple and SINGABLE. So mrxaxeguy is right. Of course its's very simple, but this is not the palce to talk about it.

[mraxeguy]

Great to finally see the rest of the song ;D.

[smudgepots]

Marvellous!