Beethoven Sonata - Appassionata M3 by George Li (13 yr)

[TheWolfmannC]

Pero tocas realmente bien a pesar de eso, felicidades!

[TheWolfmannC]

Creo que te faltó usar un poco el pedal

[kubekbeta5]

Yeah, right, everyone can play better than George? Becouse many comments tell him, what he should do, what is bad and what is worse in his performance. Maybe you are just jealous?

For me George is playing very good, and unless someone is a music professor, they can't help him by criticising his playing.

[loboris1995]

I'm not a pianiste^^but I juste want to say that this is juste stunning ,but I still prefer the tempo that use^^

[newgeorge]

just astonishing!

[pai314ku]

you are the best in your age sofar....

[pai314ku]

george li...广东方言....无得弹.....you are the best in your age...有一点想提醒你的是,如果腰板能直些就好看多了(有­些"寒背")....

[Robbie0Music0Critic]

:) :) Magic! Thank You!!

[platmosic]

Why does everyone play this movement Allegro Molto?

This is definitely beyond ammetuer though... guess thumbs up is the answer

[werewethere]

Well done

[DavidScorcelletti]

Thank you for bringing so much joy in my life...!

Keep it up...!

[pianoairlines]

Wonderful performance! Aside from the coda being a little fast for my liking, I loved it!

If this is a first performance, I am sure will itll be perfect the second or third time =}

[RichardGold8]

I'm sorry but its a serious song to me, but he ain't looking serious to me.

[gerardbedecarter]

I am not arguing. I am just stating the facts calmly and objectively and without any gratuitous comments.

[gerardbedecarter]

Your tempo worked but Beethoven's marking is "Allegro ma non troppo" and it's possible he wanted it not quite so fast. A wonderful performance, though.

[btw at 2:53 and 5:30 the C is not meant to be repeated!]

[trtnec]

yes it is meant to be repeated... don't know what score you're looking at

[gerardbedecarter]

dada NOT dumdada. Have a look at any good urtext. Have a look at the discussion in Tovey. I'm afraid you don't know what you are talking about.

[trtnec]

@gerardbedecarter my god, why are you even arguing, either just look at any score or watch any other performance of this, I guess EVERY pianist ever gets it wrong except you? Even Beethoven wrote it wrong? Please, don't respond and just go look at the score, or learn to read music if you haven't.

[jmsampietro]

Llevo varios días escuchando esta sonata Appasionata (3) interpretada por diferentes pianistas y puedo decir que, en mi opinión, la tuya es, sin duda, la mejor.

A mi me suena "redonda", no soy un experto, pero si me gusta mucho la música y me quedo impresionado por tu gran interpretación.

***** Extraordinario*****

[gnstjd518]

3) Also slow down your finale.. it's supposed to be powerful and feeling. Thus the name appassionata.. it just sounds like a speedy mush..

[gnstjd518]

Fantastic performance

I remember i played this piece around.. 30 years back.

Just a few tips:

1) Play more clear melody. In the beginning of the piece, the left hand crossover is the melody. That needs to be heard loudly, not staccato...

2) i understand your trying to control your emotions as you play, but try to keep a straight face, and sit a bit back from the piano. It will help alot in sound quality, and power of the piano. power comes from your whole body.. not just your fingers.

[myfacebookids]

@gnstjd518 Completely disagreed. Music is all about emotion and feeling. You might want to play it with a straight face and just play the notes like a robot..I happened to like the way he plays it with feeling.

[gnstjd518]

@myfacebookids

i must disagree to your statement. Music is a balance about emotion and feeling with technicality. Thats the true beauty. The kid is a fantastic player, but his face expressions are just distracting, and way too overwhelming.

[myfacebookids]

@gnstjd518

[yumpin]

@gnstjd518 a straight face will only be a deterrent to sound, if you remove the emotion from music then you remove the purpose of music. Most good music teachers encourage students to have emotion while they play; it helps convey the emotion of the piece. Telling him to change his technique is not going to help either, many of the best masters (not limited to piano) have had extremely unorthodox technique, just look at Glenn Gould. If it works it works, as long as the pianist is relaxed.

[v4liumfrance]

good for a so young kid

[Vravishing]

You are simply amazing. You played heartily, so musically. 50K*

[lju20077]

I love it!!

wonderful performance my dear friend!

congratulations!!!!!!

[chutdigadut]

dude, this is just INCREDIBLE

[toshiajapan]

Hey this is one of the best appasionata's here in Y/T!!!

Keep going man!

[anonymousQ45]

thats my favorite presto ever!!! 100/100!

[attack34]

His first performance in sweden was awesome! He's such a great piano player,

[isabelaborba]

Hi George!

I need to change my music to routine the floor. Please, help me, and give me a new music. Look my actual music in my channel

Thanks

kisses

[Pischnaholic]

PART THREE: Also, the dotted note figures to my aged ear should be more legato, more espressivo -- more urgent. As it stands, they sound snapped off. A more judicious use of pedal would help a great deal.

The Presto, of course, is marvelous, but imagine how much MORE hair-raising it would be if preceded by a more measured Allegro ma non troppo.

All that aside, it's still a wonderful performance.

[Pianoloverok]

Dear Pischnaholic,

Thanks for taking so much time to comment on it. I completely agree with all your critics. For this difficult piece it is my first public performance. Give me time I will make it better.

George

[Pischnaholic]

Dear, George,

I'm glad you see that criticism of this sort is meant as gesture of respect to you. It's always nice to get praise, but we rarely learn much from it.

I just discovered Jeno Jando's performance of this movement today. It is very nearly perfect from the academic-analytical point of view -- a model of good deportment.

Your playing, however, generates more excitement. Still, Mr. Jando does all the things I suggested -- and more.

Bless you, George! You really have what it takes.

[Pischnaholic]

PART TWO: After the introduction, the first statement of the theme should be sotto voce -- almost sinister -- certainly not brilliant.

Most of the great interpreters use a good deal more pedal in the arpeggiated segments. It's very odd ever to say that anyone plays TOO clearly, but in this case I think it's a valid criticism.

[Pischnaholic]

PART ONE: I've never felt the urge to criticize this wonderful young phenomenon before, but from a purely musical standpoint it would be good to remember that Beethoven marked this movement Allegro MA NON TROPPO. It's just a little too fast in my honest opinion. Also, it's almost too well articulated. By that I mean that much of the passagework, though splendidly executed, comes off rather dry.

[anonymousQ45]

i was wondering when you start a new composition do you just pick something you like or do you have a plan of study? ex did you learn 1- 22 beethoven sonatas before you started this?

[LetTheMusicFlow1]

the sonatas that are before this one are not nessarily harder

[anonymousQ45]

i never said they were harder i asked if he worked on the other ones as preparation for the later ones

[LetTheMusicFlow1]

but would it really make sense to prepare for a hard piece with an even harder one? To answer your question, it is not necessary but it does help broaden your knowledge of beethoven.

[anonymousQ45]

we obviously have a communication problem. the question is DOES HE PLAY ANYTHING later or earlier beethoven sonatas TO GET PREPARED FOR NO.23. god i hope you got it this time im tired of arguing with you jeez

[LetTheMusicFlow1]

appassionata is difficult, so i would imagine so, but someone like Mr. li could probably go ahead and play it....he's at such a level where he can do that...and im sorry for the miscommunication!

[BeammeupSpotty]

I really liked the sound. I felt like this really captured Beethoven. Amazing. Great job.  Best wishes in life to you. You're phenomenal.

[rudgel]

Rerererererererereperfect

I think you're the inventor of the piano.

[campamusic92]

porcaputtanaaaaaaaa

[klausknulp]

grandioso george! a little suggestion: on 7:16 should be 2 times "a flat" instead of "f" (handwritten by beethoven) after that - of course "f"

[pimpsees111]

omg amazing

[snakefl]

Tour De Force! The new Walter Klein among us.

[clubpenguinfaners]

I just like the style how George Li plays! He plays awesomely good!

[Esceha57]

Dear Friend George,

I got the last month two times a list from Youtube with new uploads. I read only your add Favorites, so I did not know you have uploaded your own work too. I'm glad the coming time I can enjoy myself by watching your uploads in the last month.

The first I saw was this one. seeing this. Amazing as always. I repeat my prophecy in the future the whole world will see you on the biggest stages.

(Granddaddy) Cor

Netherlands

[gagiandjeo]

Awesome! 5 *****

gagi

[Desmonddd2002]

WOW, I must say I am VERY IMPRESSED, he is so incredible...... I am Simply STUNNED?

What school dose he go to?

[Pianoloverok]

George is going to New England Conservatory for his music education.

[secretaznman14]

congrats!! that's awesome!

[clubpenguinfaners]

When is George coming to Canada?

[Fedidovisk]

very clear, for someone of your age is great, but as the music says, need a little more of "passion", but is great!

[Druggedfox]

I honestly don't think that is this is any less passionate than your typical concert pianist, the only difference being that he's half the age of your typical pianist. The only people who can really understand the piece better are those who have been playing for like 30-40+ years. Other than that, he pretty much equals all.

[Chopin1986]

a genius!! Thank you for this amazing interpretation!!

[SaraBethChan]

truly a prodigy! beautiful heart moving music!

Sara + her parents

more than 5 stars

[xxxvampireknightxxox]

holy smoking cow, that was so fast i couldn't even see the fingers, that was so cool!!! i luv it! and great job on it. if i learned it my fingers would be sore for a month, but i don't have joints on the tip of my fingers so it is difficult for me to play fast pieces. great job once again!

[NodameSpecial]

I love just how u express the music !

[anieb]

George, there are a lot of prodigies and a lot of pianists, but you have that very unusual Spark that shows in your playing and it drives both the amazingly clear ferocity and the tenderness. How it can be and is done by you at your age (and by extremely few who are life-experienced) is a puzzle. I hope you stay as unspoiled as you are. It shows in your music too. So natural.

[lyghdha]

I totally agree! So clear, nuanced and direct playing. Bravo George, I wish I could hear you live!

[Wofchik87]

Bravissimo!!!

[OldRabit]

How come I've missed this stunning performance. Bravo to you!

[ipublica]

Very mature expression of this Sonata by Beethoven. Don't even talk about technique, because it's flawless, but the expression of a child playing such a serious peace (that is queer to play) is dumbfounding me! A pity the piano is so dry and hard, not giving enough resonance ...

[adollar4u]

breathless

[ld23soccer]

so much emotion and expression, simply wonderful!

[sps044a34]

great!!!

[sajem33]

bravo!

[Largo64]

Just amazing!

[jamjabba3]

Beautiful performance George! You play so incredibly well and with such natural passion - way beyond your years. Thanks for the great music.

[Kvadich]

Your techniques is awesome, and in the 1st movement as well! Great job! Yet, from my point of view this Beethoven's masterpiece requires a bit more life experience to feel it through... This work is the pinnacle of his all life. It represents both tragedy and talent, it's very complicated. I think it will come in time. Anyways, great job again, I love listening to your playing

[IanPianist2]

Perfect! Morepedal please o/

[danydane42]

tu me sur prendras toujour tu es le meilleur biz

[pianoOBBSESED]

This is great!!!!!! Just a little more pedal and get the big pictureand this will be perfect:)

[conejolua]

thanks George, good job

congratulations

a warm greeting

Raul ...

[mariamascu]

félicitations George, c'est toujours un immense plaisir de t'écouter !

[ludovicovan3333]

EROICO

[priscillayuen]

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

[luck4fuck]

u a prodigy or sum thing?

[bach9079]

You play it great,my friend.

[mateomo]

Amaizing George!! I just think on Wilhelm Kempff!! Thanyou very much!!

[rsteinberg100]

Bravo, George, your progress since last summer is huge, and you were amazing last summer.

[meriamsexy]

great play keep it up

[jdbrown371]

p.s. I watched the entire clip. I was reluctant to click on it at first because I've "burned out" on this sonata. You've held my attention all the way through. Someone under forty who plays decent Beethoven. Imagine that

[jdbrown371]

Just curious, do you play the main figure 1,2,3,5,4 or 1,2,3,1,3 or 1,2,4,3,4 or 1,2,3,4,5 etc. I have my own funny fingering (1,2,3,5,3,1). Every pianist plays this one differently. There are most fingerings for this passage than nearly any other passage I can think of

[trtnec]

if you watch closely, it seems to be 12313

[Pianoloverok]

I used 12345 for the lighter passages and 12313 for the passages demanding more sound.

[Aquilesv]

Thanks for posting it. Its amazing. In my opinion he already has reached (or going higher) the level of perfection of the great professional pianist (Kissing, Youndi, Argerich, Arrau etc...). Also it is perfect the good quality of audio/video, piano tunning, etc.).

[Aul1kki]

Do you mean that note "perfection"? There is those quotation marks because everybody makes mistakes.

[Aquilesv]

I only try to say that he is a great artist ...

[TNFerrell]

WOW!!! All I can say is WOW! Absolutely amazing! You blew me away with that one. WOW! Thank you for posting your videos George.

[danielhewson]

this is one of my favourite Beethoven sonatas, I have checked the rest and this is the best played I can find, what a high standard you set for us.

[argerich68]

AMAZING and wonderful George!!!

[danielhewson]

Great rendition

[Reem8620]

WOW!!!!! That's fantastic!!!!!!! George, you're awesome!!

[cyspaceboy]

Bravissiomo MAESTRO George! xD

A-W-E-S-O-M-E

Alexander.

[XMusic93]

You're amazing!

Excellent.

[eltachimetro]

u just keep being better george

amazing!!

[UMIPIANO]

Beautiful! I like how you bring your emotions with your music!

[OceanflowerDream]

Brilliant!!!!Keep up on play George! You're a great pianist!

I wish you all the best!

Andreea

[ji94552]

Transition to Coda could use crescendo effect, and the tempo could have been more even in Coda. But I'm hearing a lot of character from this movement. Bravo, George! You really are very special.

[LaLi1561]

maravilloso!!! 1000*

[abhikmazumder]

George, its amazing how effortless you make these difficult pieces look. Superb!

[marciareginabalbo]

Olá George Li

Nem tenho palavras...além de:

Fantástico!! Incrível!! Maravilhoso!!!!

BRAVÍSSIMO!!!!!

Márcia Regina ...São Paulo...Brasil!

[vitaaaae]

brilliant

You have a fantastic memory

[anonymousQ45]

YEAH GEORGE!!!!!

[N0obZai]

Marvelous George ! Simply beautiful.

You really let yourself out !

[DreamerLaboratory]

Brilliant !

[djjosequinta]

Precioso, como siempre!

[myggaz]

How can i do high quality on my videos ? , Really good George ! , unbelievable ! :D

[UncleNathan]

You have an instinctive grasp of this music; your playing of this movement is a fine fury from beginning to end and I am deeply moved by it. I had better close for now or I will revert to the standard YouTube responses of "wow!" "amazing!" and "five ****"!!!

[blueyoyi]

Fantastic !!! unbelievable !!

[gunluvS14]

Bravo!

[AndromedaAiken]

Wow George! Marvelous!! Well done! How long do you practice everyday now?

[anonymousQ45]

does it really matter how much he practices? hes a prodigy and an has one of the best teachers in the world

[AndromedaAiken]

I know it doesn't but I was just curious.

[hashirimedes]

Nice clear touch.

[occy8]

Your fingerwork is out of this world!!

[weldon29]

I want those hands...

[HymnTimeGospelSongs]

You are a super talent...thius was just great...I wish you the best .

[kleinbogen]

Amazing! God's gift!

[Lalitamusic]

Stupendous George!!!!! How can you keep pumping out so many incredible performances one after another like this? You are surely enchanted. Can you introduce me to your Fairy Godmother please?

In tune

Lalita

[thomandy]

Really enjoyable :) 5*

Thomas

[mradaChris]

Marvelous! Very very good! :-)

chris

[PianoPlaya123]

Simply incredible, George is fantastic

[jiang1962]

You are beating LongLong.

[brodiger]

Wow Gorge You have the most beautiful talented hands good job

[Baxterish]

/awe

[janejoa]

Awesome!!

[katsuru]

Great Work, George.