Absolutely brilliant playing! One of the best, if not the BEST, performances of this penultimate sonata of the Beethoven cycle. He brings to it so many colours, nuances, and penetrates to the core of this wondeful piece giving it an individual and distinctive stamp that's missing in the many homogenised sound of today's players.
While most pianists simply try to bring out the musical expression of this literature, with Serkin one senses life shattering drama. There is truly a dangerous edge to his playing, combined with a deep and abiding love for the music.
Yes, Many many thanks for posting this. My very first Beethoven album was Serkin playing Moonlight, Pathetique and Appasionata . . . It was a Columbia LP . . .and little did I, as a 16 year old at the time, realize the treasure contained there-in. Now here we are 40 years later, and I finally get to WATCH the master that I listened to so many times.
@briarcliffbaron My pleasure! I grew up listening to his LPs too (the Brahms 1st with Szell comes to mind) and finally got to see him in person once in 1976. He played the Hammerklavier among some other sonatas and even though he was ill, it was still sublime!
time for some old schools ay!
jackblackwhole 1 week ago
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I always loved Serkin's Beethoven. Thanks for posting.
xcomposerpianistx 1 month ago
Beethoven's most beautifull sonata
Valk72 1 month ago
It's so soothing and cheerful. Like a walk in park. Love it!
goldenskullrose 5 months ago
others may vote for moonlight, waldstein, appassionata, or hammerklavier, but for me, this is my favorite Beethoven's sonata...
MozartK365 7 months ago 2
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I wish the Master had turned the section with the running bass obbligato after the octaves at 2:03 into a fugue.
musicalidea 8 months ago
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musicalidea 8 months ago
Absolutely brilliant playing! One of the best, if not the BEST, performances of this penultimate sonata of the Beethoven cycle. He brings to it so many colours, nuances, and penetrates to the core of this wondeful piece giving it an individual and distinctive stamp that's missing in the many homogenised sound of today's players.
301250 10 months ago
While most pianists simply try to bring out the musical expression of this literature, with Serkin one senses life shattering drama. There is truly a dangerous edge to his playing, combined with a deep and abiding love for the music.
daniel15671 1 year ago
Yes, Many many thanks for posting this. My very first Beethoven album was Serkin playing Moonlight, Pathetique and Appasionata . . . It was a Columbia LP . . .and little did I, as a 16 year old at the time, realize the treasure contained there-in. Now here we are 40 years later, and I finally get to WATCH the master that I listened to so many times.
briarcliffbaron 1 year ago 4
@briarcliffbaron My pleasure! I grew up listening to his LPs too (the Brahms 1st with Szell comes to mind) and finally got to see him in person once in 1976. He played the Hammerklavier among some other sonatas and even though he was ill, it was still sublime!
sll10 1 year ago
What a wonderful performance! Subtle dynamic shadings and rubato. He seems to conduct himself with facial grimaces and mouth movements.
stoutfellow 2 years ago
Truly awesome.!
Ellinidara 2 years ago
great job man!
pity smne coughes on 3.25
Relogiolouco 2 years ago
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Relogiolouco 2 years ago
Thank you wery much for posting this! Brilliant performance!
Appfelstrudel 2 years ago 11
You're more than welcome! Serkin was one of the all time great Beethoven pianists!
sll10 2 years ago 6
melodic and meditative movement, unforgettable for its transparent purity,long live ludwig van
beethomozart 3 years ago 4
Soothing and healing therapy for tired ears!
petelovesbevsills 3 years ago 7
It's a great performance by Serkin. He was right on this night.
sll10 3 years ago
I agree 100%
petelovesbevsills 3 years ago 3