Hammerklavier, Beethoven Sonata n. 29, by Brendel. (1/6)

Don't ask me why, but I'm listening to all 6 video parts SIMULTANEOUSLY.

Beethoven might cringe at the cacophony...but I've heard modern music that sounds worse...

A really solid performance musically and technically, as usual from Brendel - although I can't understand why, having surmounted all the enormous pianistic difficulties in this huge piece, he plays the comparatively easy opening leap with two hands. Clearly this is not the most beautiful sounding piano either. I wonder why he chose it (if he did).

He isn't playing just B, but an octave (added bass) and the emphasis is on the chord (other pianists emphasis both the bass and the chord) making the bass like an "apoyatura".

Well, I think you're wrong about that. I only hear the single B-flat not an octave, and I think Brendel is enough of a traditionalist not to change notes - especially in Beethoven. And then, why would he do it that way?

Sorry, he plays the added bass on the recapitulation (2:43).
He, sometimes, adds notes in favor of orchestrated sound. The las two chords in the last movement, for example.
He really waits almost no time from the bass to the chord. Just more comfortable i guess. And given the chord emphasis, it is pretty much imposible to get that same sound single handed.

He can't play das hammerklavier any more.
But what a Heritage.

bravo~!@

LOL

That's him fo' shizzle. I saw him in concert recently, on his last performance with the Cleveland Orchestra.

Granted, this video was taken in 1970.

Beethoven never liked metronomes, besides, 138 it is not too fast in an old fortepiano.