Beethoven - Fantasia in G minor, Op. 77 [Rudolf Serkin]

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Pianist: Rudolf Serkin (1903-1991)
Year: 1962

[volkerf.sesselmann]

Nun bin ich über 60 und Musiker und höre op. 77 zum ersten und beileibe nicht zum letzten Mal. Es wird eines meiner Lieblingsstücke werden. In kaum einem anderen Werk des Genius fühle ich derart eine räumliche Nähe, sehe ihn, erlebe ihn, WIE er war und spielte. Ganz großes Kino!
Die Einspielung von Herrn Serkin ist ebensolches "großes Kino". Damals war ich gerade so auf der

[Tacitus_BirchSaw]

I freaking love this piece and i dont know why people call it boring, to me its full of expression and it shows beethoven truly

[Mikelogen]

It is so originally beautiful. I was trully amazed, when I heard it for the first time.

[katrinat.]

This is a crazy conversation in the comments. No composer moves me like Beethoven. Also, inside my mind classical music is very visual. Beethoven lights up my neurons more than any other composer. That’s the only way I can say.

[benbroverman]

Thank you for the Romantic era, Beethoven

[bradleyscarffpiano]

The most amazing bit about this piece is that when it was initially performed it was completely improvised and only later written down. It's incredible that on the spot such complex patterns could emerge and with the precision performed.

[daviddemers]

I actually heard Mr. Serkin perform this Beethoven Fantasy at Woolsey Hall in New Haven in 1969 when I was a student there. I will never forget the performance. Mr. Serkin was on fire that night - jumping around like a jack-in-the-box! Absolutely thrilling performance. He was a God of music and he remains my musical hero 50 years on. I loved that man.

[bernardito]

Such a wonderful piece, full of joy, & forceful hope despite the minor tone. Just discovered it today...

[Christoph]

Concerning Carl Czerny this is very near to Beethovens typical style of improvisation. This Fantasia was composed one year after Beethovens legendary academy (concert) 1808 where symphonies 5 & 6 among other great works had their premier. This concert was also the last known occasion where the audience had the pleasure to listen to Beethovens improvisations. Due to his deafness he could not do so in his remaining years. One year later he put his impro in to a score and published it as this Fantasia. Imagine you sit in the audience and listen to this piece of music wich is improvised in this moment by non other than Beethoven him self.

[LegoDonut]

5:17
You can hear that this part of the Fantasy sounds as if it later influenced a section of the 2nd movement of Beethoven's Emperor Piano Concerto.

[LouisEmery]

I`ve played it from a book for 40 years. Never heard it recorded/played. What a lesson this was.

[aperson]

This is Beethoven's improvisation, which is a more genuine expression of Beethoven's personality than most of his works.

[alancrabb]

Some debate here about the relative 'worth' of this piece. For myself : headphones on, volume up, eyes closed - I'm away.

[GeraldWilhelmBradenComposer]

Bravo, this is wonderful! I have never heard this Beethoven piece before, and did not know of it's existence. It is certainly a demanding piece for a pianist!

[joelwilloughby]

In my opinion Beethoven was the greatest composer

[PJGRAND]

It is pieces like this Fantasy that Beethoven helped pioneer that would go on to inspire countless other Composers especially Chopin !!!

[legamature]

A major piece I have not heard before ? I am amazed. Serkin was really good too.

[brynbstn]

There's something tongue-in-cheek about this piece ...

[daniloberaldo]

Beethoven uses his sonatas and concerts very well.

[davidrehak]

Ludwig van Beethoven:g-moll Fantázia Op.77
1.Allegro 00:00
2.Allegro ma non troppo - Allegro con brio 01:34
3.Adagio - Presto 03:10
4.Allegretto 05:17
Rudolf Serkin-zongora