Barenboim plays Beethoven "Waldstein" Sonata No. 21 in C Major Op. 53, 3rd Mov.

[BigGee84]

3:11

Heaven.

[jjp009]

He didn't look too happy at the end of that performance. I wonder why. It was absolute perfection.

[robertogonzfranc]

arrau do it right

[dmt3339]

Bravo!



[TranceContinuum]

I am a great admirer of this sonata, and also Barenboim. Could someone tell me though, why virtuosos always begin the third movement like a dirge? After all, when the theme builds it becomes ecstatic in character. The melody from the outset isn't sad surely - just because it begins softly.

[Jokanaan]

I personally love that Barenboim plays the low D-flat at 2:55. It's not in the score (being outside the range of Beethoven's piano) but it's clearly what Beethoven would have written if he'd been writing for a modern piano.

[marcxopoco]

Too slow.

[Mars4265]

;)



[Hardwyck]

The most off-putting part is at 7.40 to 7.50, where the score calls for double glassandi (thumb and 4th or 5th finger) with each hand. I see Barenboim plays it as scales with both hands in unison. Does anyone have any views on the best way to approach this wretched passage.

[sdgpiano]

@Hardwyck I play them as octave gliss, with the thumb and 5th finger. If this is difficult for you, try licking your fingers before the passage, it will help to get the feel. I think Barenboim's way is the best alternative though. Hope this helps.

[MusicClassical1]

@sdgpiano Take a look at John O'Conor's masterclass on the sonatas! (Type in "John O Conors Beethoven Bootcamp" and it should come up) It is an hour long that you will enjoy! :)

[Hardwyck]

@sdgpiano and MusicalClassical1

Thank you both very much.

[lhrmeonom]

@sdgpiano How does licking the finger help?

[MusicClassical1]

@Hardwyck Take a look at John O'Conor's masterclass on the sonatas! (Type in "John O Conors Beethoven Bootcamp" and it should come up) It is an hour long that you will enjoy! :)

[elineangelica]

@Hardwyck one should always let the sound descide what to do. my hands are too small to play octaves in beethoven. i managed to do it alright in the brahms paganini variations, but it beethoven, they need to be 100% "clear". i have to play them with both hands, it sounds much better. on a forte piano it is possible to do them nice for me, and i guess all pianists, but not on a steinway, my hands are too small. my teacher played this passage in octaves, though. amazing! :)

[robertogonzfranc]

@Hardwyck did because they have small hands, it is also in 5:40-6:12

[dextrousdigits]

@Hardwyck Brendel has written about this. He suggests that because this passage is marked pianissimo the effect Beethoven intended is only possible using the piano stop on a hammerklavier. When playing on a modern piano he suggests sharing the hands and omitting the upper note in the bass octaves. Personally I go for light wrist octaves, but it's difficult to bring off in live performance.

[Hardwyck]

@dextrousdigits

Thank you, and everybody else, for your very helpful comments and sugggestions.

[arturon111]

@dextrousdigits NEVER wrist octaves, ...ever !!!,... glissando or 2 hands,...Arrau's Waldstein is unsurpassable,,...

[poechopin]

@Hardwyck My Dear Hardwick:  Beethoven NEVER called for double glissandi at 7:40. Hans Von Bulow did! Horowits plays the octaves AS OCTAVES, lightning fast, and has, in my opinion the very best "Waldstein" ever recorded.

[jjp009]

@poechopin Horowitz' Waldstein the best? Really? Horowitz detested Beethoven and I swear I can hear his disdain in every note of his recordings of him (and I'm the biggest Horowitz fan in the world).

[sdgpiano]

Love the tempo, and his pedaling. But Mr. Camera Man, I did not appreciate the over the chandelier pan during the last page.

[bavarianwerks]

Love that ending

[qwertyasdyaln]

I love this sonata so much, it must be so hard to play though.