Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 'Pathétique', Op. 13 [Horowitz 1963]

November 4, 1963: CBS 30th Street Studio, New York City, New York (Studio)

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 8, commonly known as Sonata Pathétique, was written in 1798. The piece has remained one of his most celebrated compositions.

Overall the performance is neat and plain. Noteworthy is the 2nd movement, which is characterized by a soft, singing melody.

00:00 Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio
08:44 Adagio cantabile
14:13 Rondo: Allegro

[TomBarrister]

Very few pianists play the mordents in the first movement the way the composer probably intended. Schirmer, among other publishers, makes it clear that the mordants are to be performed as shakes, with the first two notes "stealing" tempo from the previous note. However, most performers, including concert artists, perform the mordents as triplets performed on-tempo . Horowitz and Artur Rubinstein are two of the few who play the mordents correctly.

[davisatdavis]

The clarity in his playing. This is what Beethoven wanted. Not some blurred mess. Although it was meant to be played faster rather fast (namely the second movement), the way he plays with such grace and passion is something you only hear from Horowitz, a true legend.

[PJGRAND]

The Pathetic Sonata is one of the Greatest Pieces for piano and In my Opinion Horowitz plays it perfectly

[matmm]

The best interpretation.
Thank you The great Horowitz.

[nickk]

Magnificent rendition of this sonata. I love the tempo and clarity of the phrasing. True artistry here. I've played this for 50 years and I'm going to go back and try to play it like this.

[meher]

I’m getting chills just listening to it. Brilliant!!

[thedaychr]

1. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio
Introduccion
Sección AB:AB
Desarrollo
introduccion
Sección AB'
Coda
Cadencia

2. Adagio cantabile
Sección ABACA'
Coda

3. Rondo
Sección ABA C(fuga) AB'A'
Coda
Cadencia

[sebastian]

lmao never in my life I have heard that fp in any recording