Lugansky Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 23 (Appassionata)

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor (“Appassionata“), Op. 57 (1804-1805) Nikolai Lugansky, March 2020 Moscow Philharmonic Society I. Allegro assai [0:00] II. Theme and Variations. Andante con moto [10:50] III. Allegro ma non troppo [17:23] “It is a superb example of the growth of Beethoven's immense creations from two of the tiniest of germs (a) the first three opening notes—C, A flat, F—(b) the C, D, C in the third and fourth bars. The whole sonata grows as naturally from these as the huge oak from the acorn. Bridge subjects, second subjects, coda figures, the chief theme of the Andante, as also the impetuoso subject of the Finale, are all derived from these two little germs. Lenz calls the Sonata ‘a volcanic eruption, which rends the earth and shuts out the sky with a shower of projectiles.’ “