There are at least two accounts (p. 87 & 96) of Beethoven remaining fairly still and without facial expressions in performance while still playing very expressively or even "hard and heavy" early on. Avoiding unnecessary movement has been a recurring theme thus far, and I think it is telling that Beethoven chose to maintain this tradition while making such distinct changes in his approach to articulation and pedalling.
Although I would not wish deafness on anyone, I'm not sure I would agree with labelling Beethoven's deteriorating hearing as a tragedy (p. 89). If it hadn't happened, his compositional output would surely have been different, but who knows that it would have been better. At a personal level, it could not have improved his life; but from a historical perspective, it makes his achievements all the more impressive.
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Yes, I found it interesting that even so outgoing a person had a fairly quiet stance at the piano. Especially with Beethoven's works, avoiding unnecessary movement would conserve needed energy, as well as let the music speak for itself. However, the lighter action on the earlier pianos probably allowed for a more immobile style of playing, one not as easy today.
ReplyDeleteIt is weird to imagine a very calm Beethoven. In my mind the inner turmoil most certainly influenced his playing. I agree that with the fact that the hearing loss wasn't a tragedy. The real tragedy would have been if he had ended his life before giving us true musical masterpieces.
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