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From: DBarker%PCO@CISL-SERVICE-MULTICS.ARPA (Deryk Barker)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Beethoven metronome markings.
Message-ID: <9985@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Date: Tue, 16-Apr-85 08:04:25 EST
Article-I.D.: brl-tgr.9985
Posted: Tue Apr 16 08:04:25 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 18-Apr-85 07:48:30 EST
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The metronome was, of course, not invented until after most of
Beethoven's symphonies had been written.  He then went back and notated
them - somewhat controversially one may add.  I would suggest that a lot
of his tempi could not really be managed with a large symphony
orchestra.  Contrast the first movement of the Eroica (marked, I
believe, at crochet = 120).  The LAPO/Giulini version (a GREAT
performance) takes about 20:30 for this movement, without the exposition
repeat.  The ASMF/Marriner version (small orchestra) takes 17:50 ish,
WITH the repeat.  For those interested in small-scale up-to-speed
Beethoven I highly recommend this record - beautifully recorded (also
available on a fine CD).  The finale also cracks along.

Many of the tempi Beethoven marked are contoversially fast - a notable
example being the first movement of the Hammerklavier sonata op 106.
Can anyone play this at the marked speed?  Does anyone try?  (The
fastest version I know is by Pollini).
          deryk.