Andras Schiff. Beethoven's Piano Sonatas and Their Meaning

Ahhahahah good! and quite pricey too.

I have it, I bought the other one yesterday and it's on display in the bookshelf. In essence, obviously I haven't finished it yet nor put it on the site, but from the first skim (culatello and sfogliata, not bad) it is one of those books that I like: many examples, concise, dry, and with many reproductions of manuscripts and first editions with variants. Dear Frank, I think I am quite inclined to recommend it to you in advance!

OrlandiArmando wrote:

l' ho comprato ieri l' altro e fa bella mostra in libreria.

I have always wondered what the criteria are for one's own book to have a place of honor in the display window (but I have my suspicions). Besides, if we hadn't seen it, how would we have talked about it? And maybe bought it?

Thanks for your opinion.

Ok, but what is the book's angle?

I mean, musicological, analytical, narrative, etc.

That is, is it following in the footsteps of books like Charles Rosen's, or does it have its own identity?

Damn.... to reply I read it bulimically, between the outbound and return train Pontedecimo - Genova Bignole and back (but also - "Alcandro, I confess!") at work. So: The book is structured in the form of an interview. The interviewer is Martin Meyer, the interviewee is András Schiff, who I don't believe needs an "introduction". The book divides sonatas into about ten chapters, in more or less homogeneous groups (it seems that, in certain respects, Schiff refers back to De Lenz's aesthetics, something I have never approved of, but those are my personal preferences). One must not forget that the book is the springboard for the concert series that Schiff is holding at the Società del Quartetto in Milan (I believe the last concert is in early March 2013). The considerations are quite technical; that is, from Meyer's - so to speak - theoretical question, one moves to a formal analysis. Well, not bad, in effect the little book fills an interesting gap; if I am not mistaken (and I am easily mistaken), it had been several years since anything so incisive on the subject had appeared. Speaking of Rosen; did you like it? As for the beautiful exhibition, this book will end up in the "circle of those already read". That is, that part of the bookshelf that will hardly ever be consulted. (this, however, is due to my predilection for other books, certainly not because of the poor quality of this latter one). I always keep about ten "indispensable" books at the center of my world, but that is another story.

OrlandiArmando wrote:

The book is structured in the form of an interview. The interviewer is Martin Meyer, the interviewee is András Schiff, who I don't believe needs a "presentation."

...so it goes in fashion, Carlos has also written an interview (between him and Gould), but with roles reversed compared to this one you have briefly described.

OrlandiArmando wrote:

Speaking of Rosen; did you like it? As far as the beautiful exhibition is concerned, this book will end up in the "circle of those already read". That is, that part of the bookshelf that will hardly ever be consulted. (this, however, is due to my predilection for other books, certainly not because of the poor quality of this latter one). I always keep about ten "indispensable" books at the center of my world, but that is another story.

...so it tells us nothing new.... compared to the 10 "indispensable" books. By the way, which ones are they? Maybe I already have them or need to get something

OrlandiArmando wrote:

Speaking of Rosen; do you like it?

From an analytical point of view, I think it is a mandatory step

Tiger wrote:

...so it becomes fashionable, Carlos even wrote an interview (between him and Gould), but with the roles reversed compared to what you have briefly recounted here.

Hahaha yes, but "Carlos" was written by him alone, thanks anyway for reminding me. As for the book on Beethoven, besides not having read it, I confess that I will not read it (and, after reading Armando's comment, I even feel comforted by the idea that I am not missing out on anything special). But there is a reason and I will tell you, so you don't think I'm saying this just for the sake of it: a friend, a few days ago, told me furiously that he had been to the bookstore and had opened the book in question at random. This is what he read (more or less, not a literal quote): «As for the hypothesis put forward by Horowitz that Beethoven's last three sonatas perform better in more intimate contexts and in small settings compared to a concert hall, well, I wouldn't pay much attention to it. After all, how can one credit the opinion of someone who was madly in love with Rachmaninov's Second Sonata?!!». It was Schiff speaking. I'll pass, thanks.

Mmmmhhhh I also read the passage you cite almost literally. A rather unfortunate remark.... perhaps the journalistic style itself penalizes reflection? In fact, the writing style seems to be of the "live television" type and perhaps one feels compelled to go off the beaten path. Another example of this kind is Augias' book "Inchiesta su Gesù" (Inquiry into Jesus), with a debate-interview with Mauro Pesce. In that case, however, the result is much higher. With the book in hand, right now, though, I must emphasize that the choice of captions is very accurate: many first editions, variants of first editions.... this is my field! Rosen: Regarding the analysis of Beethoven's sonatas, I really like this book (naturally we are talking about publications in the Italian language) De Bonis Alessandro - Analisi della forma delle sonate di Beethoven - Enrico Muccio Editore Catania 1928 (2012 - 1928 = 84 - I might just put it on the site, it's practically public domain now). Finally, we were talking about the 10 reference books. In reality, I highly consider about ten volumes, the classics "if I had to save something" or for a classic "desert island" scenario.... but these are books concerning my Beethoven studies. With these, I could live a life of research... here they are: Biamonti Giovanni, Catalogo Cronologico e critico delle opere di Beethoven. Gustav Nottebohm, Beethoveniana. Idem - Zweite Beethoveniana. Idem Beethoven Studien - Beethovens Unterricht bei Haydn, Albrechtsberger und Salieri. Kinsky-Halm Beethovens Werke. Willy Hess Supplemente zur Gesamtausgabe. Joseph Kerman - Kafka Skizzenbuch (this is mar-vel-ous) finally the mythical Ludwig van Beethoven, Ignaz Xaver von Seyfried Studien in Generalbasse, Contrapuncte Und In Der Compositionslehre Haslinger, 1832. And De Roda? and the biography of B. written by Thayer? Let's stop here! I am surely forgetting something!

Tiger wrote:

...so then it goes out of fashion, Carlos also wrote an interview (between him and Gould), but with roles reversed compared to this summary you provided.

To be honest, Carlos had already thought about this "form" 3 years ago... and, given the latest elements of the topic, I must admit that reading some of Carlos's writings, it really seems like he is truly interviewing Gould and not that there is someone playing both roles or stepping into another's shoes...

In the end, I don't know if I will buy Schiff's book... for now it's more no than yes, I wouldn't want the book to end up like his interpretation of Bach's inventions, namely in the circle of CDs already heard ...

Schiff is a world-renowned pianist, one of the greatest interpreters of the music of Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Schubert... as well as an honorary member of the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn... this does not automatically mean that he churns out sensational books... but I consider him a person who perhaps deserves a chance, right?

Who am I to judge? As I said in the other post, I am just a laborer of music, and much musical and musicological criticism is foreign to me. Seeking a meaning in music seems entirely vacuous to me; I prefer seeking the Primordial Idea, the sketch, the spark that then becomes Art. Some dedicate themselves to things that I consider secondary. I am not very interested in the painting; I am interested in the color, the frame, the history.... but where did Caravaggio find those colors? I leave to those with a superior and prepared mind, like Schiff, a phenomenal intellectual synthesis....... anyway, the book isn't bad, come on!

Ah! also I, thanks to a dear friend, Luigi, began a few years ago to frequently visit the Beethoven Haus for my research on sketches, and I assure you that there, one sees plenty of members! (including honorary ones and even the heads of the same)