Emanuel Ax Beethoven masterclass

Extract from masterclass given by Emanuel Ax on Beethoven Piano Sonatas and Variations. The student is Nicolas Van Poucke. The full masterclass is available on DVD from www.masterclassfoundation.org

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Emanuel
• Ax
• Beethoven
• piano
• sonatas
• masterclass
• classical
• music

[pedroborges78]

@organboi It was the gap - then he says "I'm sure you heard that" - he is teaching but he knows that the Beethoven's exigence level is high so we must be very picky, and, he thinks he's boring the student... but, i can see differences, listen to the phrases, the end of the phrases, the dynamics, touch, that's why it's hard to be a musician, is so much more than notes!

[csportalcomua]

Amazing thanks for share!

[cynoodles]

His breathing.... HIS BREATHING

[bontempo01]

@organboi That's the main challenge of any music masterclass. What works fine for one student might not work for another. I actually think that Ax is being EXTREMELY clear and very encouraging (count the number of times he praises the student and gives positive feedback). Most accomplished pianists don't do that at all and rather bash you during the whole session. Kudos to Ax for accomplishing something here and keeping a friendly tone at the same time.

[LouiePlaysDrums]

@gramajolisandro The second movement of Beethoven's 15th Piano Sonata (aka the "Pastoral" sonata)

[organboi]

Sorry to say, but Ax is not even close to being a good teacher in this video. "Is there a way to NOT do that?" Just awful. Show the guy HOW. I had no idea what he was talking about half the time. Then he sits down and demonstrates and I had no clue as to what he wanted. Both versions sounded the same. In fact I liked the student's better. I'm no longer a fan of master classes. Never was really.

[gramajolisandro]

What piece is this?



[marikajean]

@PoledniceWP Ax only said that once and the student immediately knew he was referencing the pause between the running notes and the chord - it probably wasn't altogether intentional because it's the only time he played with that large of a gap at that point in the music. The student improved immensely in those few measures in just a few minutes of instruction - Ax is awesome!

[olivleonardo]

@PoledniceWP To me, what is frustrating is to see how Ax tries to explain things and his student doesn't concentrate so much to understand. But yes: it seems very difficult for the student too (change the interpretation on time!).

[PoledniceWP]

Ax is great, but I think I'd get a little infuriated if I was repeatedly told: "Anyway way to *not* do that?" Apparently, but you need to tell me how!