BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van
Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70 No. 1 “Ghost”
II. Largo assai ed espressivo
Ralf Gothóni, visiting professor
Appassionato Trio (21-22)
Paula Sastre Niño, violin
Julia Tripodo Ponce, cello
Mikhail Tolstov, piano
Professor Gothóni addresses several issues regarding tempo after the performance of the first movement by the Appassionato Trio. It must be maintained, even if smaller figurations have to be played, and always thought about before starting. Each harmonic change needs a different color; it is a change of character. The piano somehow has to lead the tempo and the character of the beginning of the movement.
Gothóni emphasizes the expressiveness of the melodic lines of the strings. They work on the tremolo passage in the piano (which resembles the Waldstein Sonata). The left hand of the piano has to be very clear because it is the one that gives the character, and the right hand is the one that carries the pulse. In addition, the dynamics have to be graduated very gradually. The professor also indicates that the violin and cello have to balance their sound quality, and for this they have to play more sul tasto.
Language: English
