Week 4 Beethoven Challenge – Recordings Watch Party 🎥🎶

Week 4 is here, and it's time to share!

For this final week of the Beethoven Challenge, your goal is simple:
record your piece and submit it for our community Watch Party.

It doesn’t have to be “finished” or perfect. In fact, it’s more useful if it isn’t. Record where you are right now with your Beethoven and let that be your snapshot of growth from Week 1 to Week 4.

How to participate:

  1. Record your Beethoven selection (phone video is totally fine).

  2. Upload it to Youtube!

  3. Post the link in the Week 4 thread below with:

    • Piece and movement

    • One sentence: “The thing I worked on most in this piece was…”

We’ll collect submissions and feature as many as we can in the Watch Party, with live commentary, encouragement, and a chance to hear how everyone has grown over the month.

This week’s challenge:
Don’t wait until you “deserve” to record. Hit record, share your current best, and join us for the Watch Party!!

146 replies

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    • rebecca_LAM
    • 7 days ago
    • Reported - view

    This is my recording for pathetique first movement I have been working on for the last few months. I remember dominic said more contrast on the dynamic so I am working on that. Also, I have to get it up to tempo too. 
    https://youtu.be/ivkyxZ5jC1s?si=j_hgVaZsVH-CS0M-

      • Have a growth mindset, no matter what!
      • Gail_Starr
      • 6 days ago
      • Reported - view

       You definitely GOT the dynamic shifts, girl!  Yay!

    • Grace.11
    • 7 days ago
    • Reported - view

    Is there still time to submit a video  😬? 

      • Mom, fitness instructor, lover of music
      • Michelle_Russell
      • 7 days ago
      • Reported - view

       I think as long as you post before tonight it should be good for possible inclusion in the watch party, but there's never really a time limit for posting! So if you post even after the "deadline," we'll all enjoy hearing your submission.

      • Grace.11
      • 7 days ago
      • Reported - view

       thank you ! I will try to post something here even though it’s just a work in progress.  

    • Paul_Larson
    • 7 days ago
    • Reported - view

    Beethoven C# minor Allegretto and Trio

    https://youtu.be/umQWxWuj7Yc

      • Mom, fitness instructor, lover of music
      • Michelle_Russell
      • 6 days ago
      • Reported - view

       Hi Paul, your video is listed as "private." Could you go back in and mark it to be "unlisted" instead, so we can hear your playing?

      • Paul_Larson
      • 6 days ago
      • Reported - view

       

      The youtube link should now be unlisted.  Please let me know if it's viewable now.  Thanks!

      • Mom, fitness instructor, lover of music
      • Michelle_Russell
      • 6 days ago
      • Reported - view

       Yes, now it's unlisted, thanks. And well-played, too!

    • YMT
    • 6 days ago
    • Reported - view

    Here's my submission: opus 26, 1st movement.

    I worked on the Pathetique as well this month, but that seems to be a popular submission, so here is part of the Sonata I finished earlier in the month!

      • Have a growth mindset, no matter what!
      • Gail_Starr
      • 6 days ago
      • Reported - view

       Subtle phrasing and elegant dynamics, my friend.  You definitely are channeling your inner Beethoven.  It's so great to watch your speedy progress and mastery.

    • Have a growth mindset, no matter what!
    • Gail_Starr
    • 6 days ago
    • Reported - view

    So...here's a tiny clip of the 2nd mvt. of the "Pastorale" Sonata.  I started working on it in the spring, dropped it, then worked on it a bit more in August...and picked it up again on Saturday. 

    It DEFINITELY goes under the Work In Process category, LOL!

      • rebecca_LAM
      • 6 days ago
      • Reported - view

       that's amazing playing. if this is working progress, I can't wait to hear the finished version. It is such a wonderful playing with great dynamic and so expressive. You are so musical and really bring out the beethoven voice. I am aspired to play more like you one day. 

      • Sachi
      • 6 days ago
      • Reported - view

       Hi Gail. I really enjoyed listening to your performance. Articulation, pedaling and dynamic… sounds amazing. You have shown Beethoven’s spirit:) 

      • Have a growth mindset, no matter what!
      • Gail_Starr
      • 6 days ago
      • Reported - view

       Aw, thanks, dear Rebecca!  It's kind of funny...I left this piece alone for MONTHS, but it magically felt pretty good when I took another look at it on Saturday.  I think Molly Gebrian has a very valid approach to working on things a bit and then leaving them alone to "mature".  (Although her approach is day by day, and mine was to leave it alone for months, LOL).

      • Have a growth mindset, no matter what!
      • Gail_Starr
      • 6 days ago
      • Reported - view

       Thanks, Sachi!  I need to revise the entire Sonata.  It's definitely one of my favorites and not everyone plays it.

      • Pianist, composer and piano teacher
      • Sindre_Skarelven
      • 6 days ago
      • Reported - view

       Sounds great, Gail! 👏🏻 I have always found this movement very special in the Beethoven repertoire.  

      • Philosophy teacher and piano lover
      • Juan_Carlos
      • 5 days ago
      • Reported - view

       As expected, your interpretation is full of elegance, grace and fluidity. Love it, Gail 👏👏!

    • Piano Player with Day Job (for now)
    • Peter_G
    • 6 days ago
    • Reported - view

    Hi Gail, this is really great, reflecting your characteristic well-thought-out approach and clear articulation, with a nice, measured flow of emotion and dramatics.  Are you aware that the video cuts out before you get to the end?  talk about leaving us in suspense!!  I love this piece and your performance here nonetheless!

      • Have a growth mindset, no matter what!
      • Gail_Starr
      • 6 days ago
      • Reported - view

       LOL!  That WAS kind of abrupt but my husband (who works from home) was frantically motioning to me that his conference call was starting immediately, LOL.  

      Once I REALLY learn the whole Sonata, I'll record it properly.

      • Piano Player with Day Job (for now)
      • Peter_G
      • 5 days ago
      • Reported - view

       Ha, that's funny, my wife has to do the same thing to me from time to time when she's about to participate in a Zoom call.  The computer Mics will suppress the music for her listeners,  but she can't hear what they're saying when I'm whaling away on the Mason & Hamlin! 

Content aside

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