Originally posted by Michael:
Beethoven's piano arrangement of the "Battle Symphony" was played last year on BBC's Beethoven Experience. I switched on in the middle of it and, for a few minutes, didn't know what the hell I was listening to. It sounded like somebody thumping the floor while a piano was playing. I'm not sure if the pianist was providing the percussion effects with his foot or some external apparatus but it was certainly the weirdest thing I have heard in a long while!
I quite enjoy the more familiar Battle Symphony. It's great fun and some years back it was ideal for showing off stereo effects. Nowadays, I'm sure there must be a surround-sound version of it somewhere.
Michael
Beethoven's piano arrangement of the "Battle Symphony" was played last year on BBC's Beethoven Experience. I switched on in the middle of it and, for a few minutes, didn't know what the hell I was listening to. It sounded like somebody thumping the floor while a piano was playing. I'm not sure if the pianist was providing the percussion effects with his foot or some external apparatus but it was certainly the weirdest thing I have heard in a long while!
I quite enjoy the more familiar Battle Symphony. It's great fun and some years back it was ideal for showing off stereo effects. Nowadays, I'm sure there must be a surround-sound version of it somewhere.
Michael
Well in Beethoven's time pianos were often fitted with all manner of percussion and other instruments, operated by pedals, so I presume you heard an authentic performance. If so you are lucky to have heard it, even if you don't think so. I have a most excellent fortepiano recording of one of B's marches for four hands whereby he uses these effects. I presented the track here some time ago.
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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
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