Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17 “The Tempest”, Op. 31/2 | Kit Armstrong, piano

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Wunderkind meets genius: When Ludwig van Beethoven composed his Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Opus 31, No. 2, he was a star pianist in Vienna. American pianist Kit Armstrong, who grew up as a “wunderkind,” showed a glimpse of the great composer’s improvising talent in re-interpreting the sonata in his own very personal fashion. His piano recital took place during the Beethovenfest in the Plenarsaal (plenary hall of the Bundeshaus) in Bonn in September 2023. And beware: the piece begins very quietly.

(00:00) Intro
(00:20) I. Largo – Allegro
(09:32) II. Adagio
(16:56) III. Allegretto

His ears were hurting, his hearing difficulties were getting worse and worse, and the psychological strain was unbearable. In 1802, Ludwig van Beethoven wrote a letter from Heiligenstadt, near Vienna, to his brothers, asking where – after consulting with a doctor – he should go to recuperate. He revealed to his brothers his worsening deafness, telling of his desperation and suicidal thoughts. It was around this time (1801/02) that he also created his Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor.

It is one of 32 piano sonatas Beethoven composed between 1795 and 1822. They are highly regarded and viewed as an extraordinary repertoire of piano pieces. Beethoven lived in Vienna as a composer and famous piano virtuoso. He was capable of masterfully improvising based on individual motifs, enjoyed experimenting and continuously shifted away from the classic sonata form in his later compositions.

Piano Sonata No. 17 is also known as “The Tempest.” Beethoven biographer Anton Felix Schindler claims Beethoven composed the piece based on Shakespeare’s drama of the same name. There is, however, no hard evidence to support this. Schindler was Beethoven’s secretary and first biographer, and he enjoyed being the center of attention. He later purported to be a good friend of Beethoven’s, but he didn’t necessarily always stick to the facts in his reports. It is even proven that he faked entries in Beethoven’s notebooks and other documents.

Out of this series of sonatas, Piano Sonata No. 17 is the only one in D minor (like his Symphony No. 9, by the way). The first movement starts out restrained and dark and then builds up dramatically, its sound reminiscent of a big “tempest.” Then an upbeat adagio and a rhythmic allegro. All three movements begin and end quietly – that was unusual, too. When Beethoven composed his Piano Sonata No. 17, he was 31 years old – the same age as American pianist Kit Armstrong when this recording was made.

Kit Armstrong intensely scrutinized Beethoven’s sonatas. The first musical theme in Sonata No. 17 builds up slowly and quietly, as though it were just in the midst of coming to be in the thoughts of the composer. You almost feel transported back into the room where Beethoven once diligently composed, as Kit Armstrong gingerly strings together one tone to the next in his interpretation, before pausing as though to think about what comes next and again and then – like he’s had a sudden realization – races over the keys.

Kit Armstrong, born in Los Angeles in 1992, is truly an all-rounder. By the age of five, Kit Armstrong was playing the piano and composing his own music. Besides elementary school, the very gifted student attended high school at the same time. He was then admitted as the youngest student to Chapmen University of California at the age of seven, where he studied composition and physics. At the age of nine, Kit Armstrong changed to Utah State University, where he studied music, mathematics, biology and physics, before going to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and completing a degree at the Royal Academy of Music in London with First Class Honours. In 2013, his first CD was released – with his own compositions and transcriptions of pieces by Bach. Since he turned 13, he has also been taught by Alfred Brendel. The world-renowned pianist referred to Kit Armstrong as a “child prodigy” in 2008, and as “the greatest musical talent that I have encountered in my life.” As a solo pianist, Kit Armstrong has worked with many of the most renowned conductors around the world, including Christian Thielemann and Robin Ticciati as well as orchestras like the Vienna Philharmonic and the NHK Symphony Orchestra.

Beethoven’s pupil Carl Czerny wrote that Piano Sonata No. 17 was perfect in form and that the greatest impact unfolded “when the player’s imagination is at the same level as his artistry.” Kit Armstrong fully taps into this “player’s imagination” in his interpretation of Beethoven’s Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31/2.

© 2024 Deutsche Welle

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Wonderful, INTENSE interpretation! As this Beethoven should be.

davidmmiller
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This video is the most beautiful thing I have experienced today.

mariamkamal
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ペタリングが素晴らしくて音が躍動している

っている🎹テンポ、間の良さが絶妙!秘めたる感性を感じます❤

加藤恵美子-eg
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Absolutely wonderful interpretation played with so many feelings and great intensity when necessary! Thank you for the treat!

brianbrino
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Very special. He makes it so interesting. It feels like reading a book.

aldocarni
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Una interpretación diferente. Emotiva, pero si se quiere seca y sin momentos de emotividad. La interrelación en sí es brillante, pero se pierden matices, a mi parecer fundamentales! 22:47

profeeduardodalmasso
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I wish I had been there. A beautiful place to fully enjoy Bethoven piano sonata. Bethoven music always heals my soul.

imhappyinthesun
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Дякую щиро Вам за цю дивовижу!
Ukraine greetings!

ВікторіяКолобова
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Wonderful interpretation of this "Tempest". Thank you, Kit Armstrong!

staffanolofsson
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Hasta los que sabemos poco de música podemos observar que esta interpretación, los sonidos son muy bonitos.

felipecastrorosales
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FABELHAFT
FROM SOUTH AFRICA THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU ARE A BRIGHT GLOWING STAR.❤

WillemjanvanderLaag
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Bravo, Kim Amstrong! Amazing rendition!

galinakrivulin
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Why isn’t the venue packed? If it’s a free concert (no disrespect to this wonderful young man) why wasn’t this opportunity seized? I certainly would have enjoyed & respected Mr Kit if the opportunity was available. But thank you for sharing your incredible talent & thanks to the person who posted this.

dellamcgowan
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When Alfred Brendel had retired from public conserts he had Kit Armstrong as his protégé and gave him lessons in piano playing. Maybe we can hear a little of Brendels influence in Armstrongs wonderful playing?

staffanolofsson
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❤ Beethoven ❤
Kit Armstrong you rock the world ❣️
In my opinion I would love to see schools teaching kids classical music, we need to let them know that there are more and better, than nasty lyrics of rap, rock metal and twerking.

miriammaldonado
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C est un élève d Alfred Brendel son Beethoven est forcément très bien travaillé

chriso
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I feel like one of those people who criticize every little detail. At the same time he could have played (just heard the last movement) this a little slower in order to play more "right" notes or whatever lol (or it's just my taste). I've been practicing it for a while, otherwise I probably wouldn't have heard them though! Also, I do not play it any better than him, it takes courage to do this in front of the audience and in his playing I liked the colour changes (whatever this actually means. Haha).
Anyway, feel free to tell your opinion (politely.. lol)

katttttt
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Loved it. Time to tune my piano and get back to playing at my level (much, much lower than yours!)

bjmattson