Beethoven’s 23rd sonata, the beloved Appassionata Sonata (1804-06), is a warhorse worthy of its unwavering popularity. Its dramatic and emotional impact is palpable and immediate both to the novice and amateur listener. However, it is this visceral impact delivered in conjunction with compositional mastery which makes this piece profound. Every detail of proportion, thematic unity, and harmonic pacing is laid out carefully so that one feels a sense of inevitability when listening to the piece. Playing this work feels like how I imagine surfing to be - fully engaged with oneself and in total control, yet letting the wave manifest itself in all its glory and piggybacking on its power. As a performer, it is a fine line between trying to control the details too much and being overwhelmed by the work’s sheer power. Playing the Beethoven works is a very different experience from playing the Szymanowski Mazurkas, and a different kind of listening experience as well.Notes by Miki Sawada
Classical Music | Piano Music
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata" Play
Recorded on 05/03/2017, uploaded on 01/25/2018
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Beethoven’s 23rd sonata, the beloved Appassionata Sonata (1804-06), is a warhorse worthy of its unwavering popularity. Its dramatic and emotional impact is palpable and immediate both to the novice and amateur listener. However, it is this visceral impact delivered in conjunction with compositional mastery which makes this piece profound. Every detail of proportion, thematic unity, and harmonic pacing is laid out carefully so that one feels a sense of inevitability when listening to the piece. Playing this work feels like how I imagine surfing to be - fully engaged with oneself and in total control, yet letting the wave manifest itself in all its glory and piggybacking on its power. As a performer, it is a fine line between trying to control the details too much and being overwhelmed by the work’s sheer power. Playing the Beethoven works is a very different experience from playing the Szymanowski Mazurkas, and a different kind of listening experience as well. Notes by Miki Sawada
More music by Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19, Third Movement (Rondo: Allegro molto)
Sonata No. 32 in c minor, Op. 111
Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101
Sonata No. 32 in c minor, Op. 111
Fantasie in g minor, Op. 77
33 Variations on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120
String Quartet No. 11 in f minor, Op. 95, Serioso
String Quartet Op. 131
Sonata for cello and piano in g minor, Op 5, No. 2
Sonata No. 5 for Violin and Piano in F Major, Op. 24 "Spring"
Performances by same musician(s)
Mazurka no. 1, op. 50
Mazurka No. 2, Op. 50
32 Variations in c minor, WoO 80
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