Nina Tichman, piano
Recording date: 09.09.2003 bis 10.09.2003
Ludwig van Beethovens 17th piano sonata is also known as “The Tempest”. Weather again? Not really. Beethoven might be referring to the play by Shakespeare. But that remains unconfirmed until today. Some argue that Beethoven’s biographer made this up.
Beethoven is building a small melody out of four tones, around which the third part constantly revolves. First it seems to just tinkle away. But it changes. The easy dancing turns into a forceful ride on a merry-go-round.
Beethoven has a tendency to really wrestle with each of his endings. Sometimes it takes him three to four attempts. But here the ending comes surprisingly sudden and quiet.
Beethoven finishes the sonata in 1802. At that point of time his health is going downhill. He is desperate about his progressing hearing loss. He moves to a resort for several months and writes his will – in his early 30s! Physically suffering, questioning his own music and somewhat suicidal.
