Beethoven, Piano Sonata, Pathetique, Daniel Barenboim

[Stanley Stewart]

A most compelling performance of the 'Pathetique' on this morning's Breakfast slot, introduced by Petroc Trelawny, 08.40ish, which almost became a novelty as my mind was racing on my first hearing of this piano sonata. Apparently, off-stage, Sarah Walker arrived at the Studio as it began and she went straight to the piano and joined Barenboim in a duet - this would have been a charming novelty if the performance had also been broadcast! I wonder whether it was also recorded?

In the meantime, I recalled my baptism of fire with the Pathetique piano sonata in The Seventh Veil (1945), a joint intro for this teenager to psychological tosh and the appeal of S-M to audiences at the time. The film was a huge box office success and James Mason headed for an international career after caning his pupil, Ann Todd, over her fingers, as she played the sonata! I seem to recall that Eileen Joyce dubbed the playing.

"A rich portentous mixture of Beethoven, Chopin, Kitsch and Freud." Pauline Kael.

[Richard Tarleton]

"A rich portentous mixture of Beethoven, Chopin, Kitsch and Freud." Pauline Kael.

indeed.

Ann Todd retired to a charming house on the village green in Walberswick, a Suffolk village associated (coincidentally I assume) with several generations of Freuds. I spoke to her on the phone once - we were borrowing the house of a friend (and former colleague of Anna Freud - W'wick seemed to have a particular attraction for retired psychologists) who was away. The phone went, "It's Ann Todd here, is XXXX there?". Stilling my beating heart, I told her she wasn't.

I had DB's 1st recorded Pathétique on LP, but haven't kept up....

[Stanley Stewart]

Thanks, Richard. I've just done a stint of gardening on a gorgeous day and was thinking about the career of Ann Todd; something frigid and chilling about her work but an attractive beauty, too. Only scant memories about her biography and she didn't consider herself an actress - perhaps erecting a barrier between herself and audience, the biography was titled, The Eighth Veil! I recall her films, The Passionate Friends and The Sound Barrier, in particular, and her marriage to David Lean was of short duration.

Memory again but I seem to recall that DB's first recording of the Beethoven Piano Sonatas
were also considered to be his best. I still treasure the Solomon recordings on LP with Richard Goode, Elektra Nonesuch on CD as companion.

Still wondering whether Petroc Trelawny had the nous to press the record button on Sarah Walker's accompaniment this morning.

[Zucchini]

Still wondering whether Petroc Trelawny had the nous to press the record button on Sarah Walker's accompaniment this morning.

Non starter. Wouldn't Sarah want a colossal fee for transmission rights to her contribution to Frere Jacques?

[Bryn]

Non starter. Wouldn't Sarah want a colossal fee for transmission rights to her contribution to Frere Jacques?

Some time ago, when he was presenting Breakfast IIRC, Rob Cowan played a 'track' from the then recently released CD of Sarah Walker playing the music of Dave Smith (one time of this manor, though under a nom de plume). The CD concerned may be found here.

[BBMmk2]

I have Barenboim's EMI cycle and a DVD masterclass. I really enjoyed hearing this recording again. I must return to this repertoire myself

[Padraig]

Some time ago, when he was presenting Breakfast IIRC, Rob Cowan played a 'track' from the then recently released CD of Sarah Walker playing the music of Dave Smith (one time of this manor, though under a nom de plume). The CD concerned may be found here.

Not for the first time has Bryn presented himself as Champion to the admirable Sarah Walker. I salute you, Sir!

[Padraig]

I have Barenboim's EMI cycle

I have it too Bbm, but my first memory of the Pathetique is of my father playing it. I did not know its title at the time, but the music has imprinted itself. War and ill-health reduced the time I had to get to know him and he died in 1951.

I hope Bbm, that Onwards and Upwards continues to be the order of the day with you. I feel you have been having a hard enough time recently but that things are improving. I know from my own recent experience that much patience is needed when proceeding Onwards. Let's hope that Patience is rewarded for both of us, and for all who are suffering health problems.

[Bryn]

Not for the first time has Bryn presented himself as Champion to the admirable Sarah Walker.

Not forgetting Dave Smith, a recital by whom, along with his long-standing keyboard associate, John Lewis, I will be attending tomorrow night. Ironically, given that the programme includes The Alcotts, I will be missing a simultaneous performance by Ian Pace of the whole of Ives's Concord Sonata in the City University Performance Space. What a pity such synchronicity of recitals should occur.

[BBMmk2]

I have it too Bbm, but my first memory of the Pathetique is of my father playing it. I did not know its title at the time, but the music has imprinted itself. War and ill-health reduced the time I had to get to know him and he died in 1951.

I hope Bbm, that Onwards and Upwards continues to be the order of the day with you. I feel you have been having a hard enough time recently but that things are improving. I know from my own recent experience that much patience is needed when proceeding Onwards. Let's hope that Patience is rewarded for both of us, and for all who are suffering health problems.

Many thanks Padraig. Music has certainly helped and also you lovely people on this Forum. Certainly been a journey. One work that has helped me a lot is David Hill's recording of RVWs Dona Nobis Pacem.