🎼 Week 1: Pick Your Piece

Juan Carlos Olite I was completely addicted to this movement as a child when I first started listening to classical piano music. It’s a stunning piece. I fairly recently heard it on our local classical music radio station played by Ingrid Fliter and it was one of those “driveway moments” when you have arrived at home already but can’t bring yourself to get out of the car until the piece is finished and you have heard who the performer was. 

Alexander Weymann I totally agree with you, Alexander. It's an addictive piece, the kind of music that you want to play again and again. I get the same feeling with Couperin's "Les barricades Mystérieuses" too. It's a very beautiful perpetuum mobile that captures your attention and emotions.

Juan Carlos Olite I tried to learn the “Barricades” a few times, but the complexity of which voices need to be held with the finger while others are moving was twisting my poor little brain into knots. 

Alexander Weymann  We attended a concert featuring Ingrid Fliter and I understand what you heard. She has a certain touch which transfixes the listener. Incredible.

Juan Carlos Olite  I will join you on the Tempest 3rd movement as I would like to polish this one!

Juan Carlos Olite Great! This is one of my favourite sonata - especially the third movement. 😊

Alexander Weymann I had to look up Ingrid Fliter 🫣 and now so moved by her playing! Thank you! She also has an inspiring interview about Beethoven and sonatas here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu75OThB2sU&pp=0gcJCR4Bo7VqN5tD

Astrida thanks for sharing that - wow, the interview even starts with that piece! 😊

Juan Carlos Olite 

No wonder we are besties!  These same 2 pieces make me feel the same way.  I need to learn both of them.

Liz Souza Great, we can share impressions during the learning process 😊.

Astrida Thank you, Astride. Ingrid Filter deserves a greater audience, more recognition.

Juan Carlos Great choice! I have been playing the Allegretto for the past year, and discovering and overcoming all its intricacies has been a real joy, yet it is still very approachable. The repetitive theme, sudden bursts and persistent return to the initial setting, as well as the delicate, fading-out ending, remind us that despite adversity, life goes on and everything eventually sorts itself out. That's how I see and feel it!!

João Dias da Silva It's a beautiful and inspiring description, Joao! Thank you for sharing it. Just in case you don't know them I find very interesting these both lectures about the Sonata and, of course, the "Allegretto":

- Andràs Schiff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVZ9rND0bxE

- Boris Giltburg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8Nl7h2i26Y&list=PL4D14bmfCxVWg8qpks7nHb35iNAAhnzXj&index=17

Juan Carlos Olite  Thanks for sharing! I do know the Schiff's lectures; I think I have got them all somewhere (downloaded a long time ago) and they are fantastic! I do not know the other one and I cannot wait to watch it when I have some spare/quality time! Cheers!

Astrida That is a wonderful interview. I will start following her. Thanks for the tip.

Alexander Weymann Only you and Andrew would have the correct keyboard installed on your phone to correctly type Marschmäßig.

(Well, I just added a German keyboard to my phone now 😉).

Gail Ravin Starr 😄well, I do at least 95% of my Tonebase activities from my phone, and since the iPhone’s standard keyboard comes with every special letter imaginable by default, this wasn’t difficult. 

Alexander Weymann fantastic piece!

Astrida I love the 3rd movement. My dad used to play it, so it will bring back memories for me. Can't wait to hear it!

Randi Thank you for the encouragement! I only hope to bring my work up to somewhat shareable result. In fact, my persistent problem on piano is speed development. So the 3rd movement will be a good (another yet) training ground.