Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17 The Tempest, Op. 31/2 | Kit Armstrong, piano

Wunderkind meets genius: When Ludwig van Beethoven composed his Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Opus 31, No. 2, he was a star pianist in Vienna. American pianist Kit Armstrong, who grew up as a “wunderkind,” showed a glimpse of the great composer’s improvising talent in re-interpreting the sonata in his own very personal fashion. His piano recital took place during the Beethovenfest in the Plenarsaal (plenary hall of the Bundeshaus) in Bonn in September 2023. And beware: the piece begins very quietly. (00:00) Intro (00:20) I. Largo – Allegro (05:26) II. Adagio (16:56) III. Allegretto His ears were hurting, his hearing difficulties were getting worse and worse, and the psychological strain was unbearable. In 1802, Ludwig van Beethoven wrote a letter from Heiligenstadt, near Vienna, to his brothers, asking where – after consulting with a doctor – he should go to recuperate. He revealed to his brothers his worsening deafness, telling of his desperation and suicidal thoughts. It was around