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In Reply to: RE: what is the issue with HIP posted by banpuku on January 10, 2017 at 07:35:28
Not only is the sound of period instruments inferior to modern instruments, they are in most cases much much more difficult to play and so they inhibit the performances.
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I once heard a very interesting recording of Beethoven's Appassionata sonata played on forte-piano. The instrument's inability to handle the dynamics of the piece made it sound like it was about to explode, which was part of the emotional experience Beethoven was (arguably) trying to convey.
More generally, I admit to knowing very little about how to play a violin, but the way people play period strings seems to lead consistently to a lighter, defter approach to the music.
Happy listening,
Jim
"The passage of my life is measured out in shirts."
- Brian Eno
I just listened to this HIP performance on youtube.
Beethoven Appassionata Sonata - Shuann Chai - Fortepiano - Live Concert - HD
It certainly is different from a piano performance using a modern piano. I don't find it offensive and it is actually a bit intriguing. I guess if I donned a white wig and some ruffled shirt I could really get into the HIP scene :-)
It's might be considered a bit enlightening.
Pat
Well...if I am going to listen to a Beethoven sonata I am hoping for better than "I don't find it offensive." I find the forte piano to be a prime example of HIP leading to inferior music. It is simply an inferior instrument to a modern paino and never sounds as good. Heck Beethoven sonatas played on a kazoo, if played well enough, might be "interesting" but it will never rise above the level of novelty IMO.
nt.
Happy listening,
Jim
"The passage of my life is measured out in shirts."
- Brian Eno
So right you are, my friend.
And, I wear leopard skin underwear while listening to Rod Stewart.
nt
Happy listening,
Jim
"The passage of my life is measured out in shirts."
- Brian Eno
As I'm sure you can appreciate given your example, the fortepiano is a good illustration of why the "historical" approach is not without controversy. In the opinion of many, the modern piano is far better suited to the modern large concert hall, and at least in my opinion, it is also better suited to the recording studio. But it sure is interesting to hear Beethoven piano sonatas played on a fortepiano with leather hammers, isn't it? And there are some fine fortepiano players around today.
Beethoven himself was supposedly frustrated with the lack of power of the fortepiano and early pianos of his day, and I suspect would have been very happy with the modern piano had he lived to play them.
.
However welcome the improvements to 17th and 18th and early 19th instruments may have been, they did bring about a different sound, sometimes vastly different. And many of the changes were spurred by the need for louder instruments capable of enough volume to fill larger venues, rather than just better intonation, flexibility or ease of playing, though all those come into play too as you correctly point out.
I don't think any intelligent, open-minded musician or listener would reject modern instruments as a bad thing. But I also think that a well-done recreation of the original sound can be worthwhile and enjoyable to hear. Of course, the goal must always be musical worth first and historical authenticity a distant second. And I don't mean to imply more modern instruments or approaches must be replaced by something more "authentic". There's plenty of room for all sorts of approaches.
I totally agree with this sentiment. There are some truly exceptional performances on period instruments and they do offer a wonderfully different perspective and more of a sense of time travel. I would never exclude either approach. But, ultimately I prefer modern instruments plain by great musicians.
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