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Re: [F_minor] Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata



Sometimes Fred, you've got to march to the beat of your own drum... or in this case, drive to the sound of your own music :-).

(I'm picturing Glenn driving his black Lincoln Continental "Longfellow" and being pulled over by the traffic cops...!).

For someone who has listened to approximately 150 Moonlights, (and even attempted to bash it out myself when I was younger), Glenn's interpretation (and that's what it is) makes me think of someone who knew the piece so organically and completely, that he could play it 10 times faster, or 100 times slower, depending on how he was feeling. It's not the tempo that should persuade, it's the overall piece that should shine through. Glenn's interpretation, no matter how unorthodox, still "works" for me... it is Beethoven and Gould shining in a light not often seen.

BTW, he loved Beethoven, but didn't necessarily find this piece to be his favourite. Even so, I still find his interpretation tells me something.

(Flame-proof suit zipped up... :-).

Best regards,
Matthew



On 20-Jun-08, at 1:44 PM, Houpt, Fred wrote:

Last night I listened to Glenn play the Moonlight. On two occasions he
had to be pulled over by the traffic cops for speeding in a zone rated
for moderation. On the third occasion he jumped to Warp Factor 3 and
the radar guys just scratched their heads.


Honestly folks, Glenn just obliterated any sense of wonder and mystery
in this piece and I have no idea what he was thinking. He just
assassinated the inner calm and grace that lies in the first two
movements. He opted in the first movement to display a moonlit lake
that was in a hurry to get it over with and go back to sleep. The
second movement was like a horse on a steady loping fast-walk through
the marshes. The third movement defies all description. It was like he
was in a Mozart-kill-this-music mood and he just ripped through it
faster than a human should try to.


Is it just me or did he destroy this piece? I know he loved Beethoven
and so I am mystified by his playing.

Comments?

Regards,

Fred Houpt
Toronto
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