Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 29 Hammerklavier Op. 106 - Prague 1975 Sviatoslav Ritcher (Score)

Beethoven Sonata No 29, Hammerklavier Sonata is undoubtedly one of the greatest sonatas ever written for piano and by Beethoven. Beethoven’s Viennese publishers announced the new sonata in 1819 as a work that “excels above all other creations of this master not only through its most rich and grand fantasy but also in regard to artistic perfection and sustained style, and will mark a new period in Beethoven’s pianoforte works.” (LA Philharmonic) It was completed in 1818, and spanning 40-50 minutes long it is a masterpiece of extreme technical difficulty and according to Wikipedia and some pianists, it is considered to be near unplayable. This is due to the length, the immense concentration, huge jumps, super fast trills, polyrhytms and uncomfortable positions, voicing, scales, and also very advanced pedal control. The fugue part lasting ten minutes and for most of the time practically no break, and the pianist has to have such a high degree of control.
This recording by global pianist Slatoslav Ritcher, performed live in 1975 Poland, is absolutely incredible surpassing all other performances and pianists including Ernst Levy and Gilels, Soloman, Serkin, and Levit in my opinion. I think this is the closest recording I have listened to that sounds closest to what Liszt and Beethoven himself would have played it. It is satisfyingly powerful, and every note sounds special. The first line already sounds special and I think it is the perfect tempo. The first movement is bright and majestic and the dynamics are wonderfully played with emphasis to the louder sections. 9:31 is great. In the second movement, an example of the sound is at 12:07 which sounds almost reckless but sounds amazing partly thanks to the sound of the bass in the piano. The third movement, Adagio Sostenuto is played with superb voicing and delicacy and starting 21:32 has one of the greatest and most genius piano melodies, and it is played with such emotion with again, the perfect and most convincing tempo. Its certainly a captivating emotional part.
The fugue, is probably the hardest part of the piece and requires tons of dexterity and concentration and basically no rubato. Throughout the whole the treble and bass compliment each other very well giving more power to one hand when appropriate. My favourite element of the fugue are the trills and Ritcher approaches them in a very exciting way playing them with lots of finger strength. 33:38 is a part with trills but I also love the fact that he gives extra power to the LH Bass notes, and at 34:57 as well with a low b flat. 38:04 is also one of my favourite parts.
Not to mention, 41:02 is the moment that I thought Ritcher would be my favourite performance. The way he executes the bass in the section.
MOVEMENTS:
0:07 1st Movement Allegro
10:41 - 2nd movement Scherzo
13:34 - 3rd movement Adagio Sostenuto
30:44 - 4th Movement Largo
32:58 Fugue
Thanks for listening! I hope you think these score videos are professional and that you enjoy them.
Sheet Music directly from IMSLP - No second source
Recording from
• Sviatoslav Richter in ... - Uploader = FirstPublicChannel
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[@benharmonics]

0:06 first movement: B-flat major
2:35 exposition repeat
5:07 development
7:05 recapitulation
9:45 coda
10:41 second movement: B-flat major
11:28 trio: B-flat minor
12:01 presto
12:21 scherzo recap
13:34 third movement: F-sharp minor
13:41 first theme
16:25 recitative
17:49 second theme: D major
19:31 development 1
21:33 first theme recap
24:00 recitative recap: D major
25:17 second theme recap: F-sharp major
26:57 development 2
28:33 first theme recap (partial)
29:27 coda: F-sharp major
30:44 fourth movement: B-flat major
30:44 introduction
30:44 prelude 1: ends in G-flat major
31:14 fantasia 1: G-flat major
31:33 fantasia 2: B major
31:51 fantasia 3: G-sharp minor
32:01 prelude 2: ends in A major
32:35 transition to fugue
32:52 fugue: B-flat major
32:52 part 1
32:57 opening: subject introduced
33:44 A-flat major
34:28 G-flat major: theme 2 introduced
34:43 E-flat minor: augmented subject
35:05 B-flat minor: augmented subject
35:32 A-flat major: theme 2
36:03 B minor: retrograde subject
36:40 D major: stretto
37:18 G major: inverted subject
37:47 E-flat major -> A major
38:16 part 2: double fugue
38:16 D major: chorale
39:01 B-flat major: subject returns
39:22 F major: stretto
39:54 F pedal point (false ending)
40:15 B-flat major: stretto climax
41:00 pre-coda: F pedal point
41:37 coda

[@Janeahmon]

Thank you! Hope you enjoyed the video.

[@benharmonics]

@@Janeahmon I enjoyed it very much! I'll leave a separate comment about Richter's playing later.

[@437composer]

nice