L.V. Beethoven, Fur Elise, RCM 7

Everyone wants to play this Beethoven piece. There are simplified arrangements available. The main melody is plaintive and based on the A minor pentascale. The chord progressions are logical and repetitive.
It is in Rondo form. Section A has a main key of A minor with a diversion in C major. the main theme returns after the octave E preparation. The first cheerful episode passes through the keys of F, and C majors before settling in on the dominant preparation chord of E, or rather a melody swirling around the E. The second episode begins with a haunting diminished chord over a pedal point of A. Clearly in A minor there is a brief shift to Bb major before introducing an unusual preparation of a repeated tonic A minor chord. it makes sense though after so much focus on the tone E earlier in the piece. The right hand climbs on an A minor triad then descends on a most beautiful chromatic scale to return to the main theme.
What is so artfully done in this piece, is the measures leading us back to the main theme. It's easy to diverge from the melodies we have heard, but as a composer, the task of preparing a return to the main material in an exciting and logical fashion is often the biggest challenge.

[@edivaldoandre2648]

Parabéns belíssima execução ❤

[@vitaeipsofacto]

Gracias!

[@srquint]

The best interpretation of "Fur Elise" which I have heard to date. Most play it mechanically.

[@vitaeipsofacto]

Sweet!

[@adrianthomas6244]

​@@vitaeipsofacto fab playing excellent, I love playing fur elise myself, it sounds so much better when played not fast, it says poco moto with motion, when I play I tend humbly speaking stick to this tempo, brings the emotion and feeling into the piece, which yourself done and beautifully, it's a fab piece by Beethoven, greetings from wales uk 😀

[@jochenbethge8136]

I don't agree. It is too fast. Compare it with the outstanding slower und smoother performance of Valentina Lisitsa, to be found here.

[@vitaeipsofacto]

​Perhaps it's a matter of taste. That's the beauty of this piece, it can be played in a personalized manner and works in several tempos. I've heard it performed convincingly at both higher and lower tempos.

[@jochenbethge8136]

@@vitaeipsofacto I agree that it is a matter of taste. The faster one's are definetely not MY cup of coffee

[@TalkableBush]

nahhh u play it so good, the way you express your emotion through the piece though!!

[@vitaeipsofacto]

Glad it comes across that way.

[@WezBolton]

Why so fast?

[@vitaeipsofacto]

I guess it may seem that way to some folks. RCM level seven book has the mm as eighth note = 132-144. Poco Moto. I think my performance here stayed within that range. I can play it at any tempo you like. Having played the piece for so many years, I guess I just came to hear it at this tempo. I'm sure when I started playing it, the tempo was slower if not cautionary. : )

[@WezBolton]

@@vitaeipsofacto regardless, it's still too fast. Good playing though.

[@carmenjones3341]

@@WezBolton it’s not fast at all read the music she’s going the tempo that’s written in the music

[@JohnMWSmith---Writer]

Way too fast. Best is to play it as you feel it and not rely on some music book to guide you.

[@vitaeipsofacto]

ok, so maybe for you and others who feel it that way, I will record it again at a slower tempo. : )

[@difficilmenteio]

great!

[@vitaeipsofacto]

thanks!