Beethoven: Piano Sonata #15, Pastorale (III and IV)
02/17/2012
Weekend Music
Yes, same sonata as last week. But I listened to the last movement again and decided I like it as much as the first two. And I guess to be fair to the harmless little scherzo I should include it, too. Is the scherzo ever anybody's favorite movement of anything?
Like this a lot, Mac. Found it on CD a few mos. back by a pianist named Ethella Chuprik, coupled with the "Waldstein" sonata.
Posted by: Rob G | 02/18/2012 at 12:55 PM
I wish it weren't called the Pastorale, which was probably not Beethoven's doing. I dislike program music in general, even when the composer intends it. I don't usually see what I'm supposed to see. And in this case I keep thinking I'm supposed to see dancing peasants 'n' stuff, so I have to sort of push that kind of thing out of my head. But it is a beautiful piece. I haven't gotten to the Waldstein yet--going through my set in order of issue, which is roughly chronological or at least opus number order, but not exactly. I think Waldstein is on the next disk.
Posted by: Mac | 02/18/2012 at 05:39 PM
I'm a big Chopin fan, so I tend to like the Beethoven piano music that sounds more like Chopin. I'm not keen on the Beethoven Sturm und Drang stuff.
Posted by: Rob G | 02/19/2012 at 12:28 PM
My taste leans that way, too--I mean, not necessarily toward Chopin specifically, but away from S & D, especially on the piano. In the symphonies it works better. For the most part, I actively dislike very loud chords on the piano.
Posted by: Mac | 02/19/2012 at 01:42 PM