Representing nearly all of the pianofortes in Pianoteq's library from Beethoven's lifetime, this video features my own performances of selected piano works composed around the time each piano was manufactured. I picked works that Beethoven composed as nearly as possible to the date of each piano. I was limited to Pianoteq's library, so there is a glaring gap between 17961808 when Beethoven composed some of his finest piano works. Nonetheless, you can still hear a general outline of his stylistic development. As for the pianos, you'll hear lots of variance in characteristics between each instrument but not necessarily a linear "evolution." This selection of instruments portrays some of the many personalities of pianos in Beethoven's day, but does not represent a comprehensive exploration of them.
Beethoven's ages relate to the time of composition, not the date of the piano. I included some transitional preludes to protect your ears from any abrupt key changes, my treat.
00:00 Sonata WoO 47, No. 1 on a 1780 Schmidt
01:01 Selected Variations on 'Venni Amore' on a 1790 Walter
03:06 Sonata No. 3, Scherzo on a 1795 Donhal
04:40 Sonata No. 5, Finale on a 1796 Broadwood
06:16 Sonata No. 26, 'Les Adieux', mvt. I on an 1808 Weimes
08:42 Sonata No. 27 in E minor, mvt. II on an 1812 Schöffstoss
11:35 Six Bagatelles, Op. 126, III. Andante Cantabile on an 1826 Graf
If you like the sound of these instruments, I recommend Ronald Brautigam's exquisite recordings of Beethoven the fortepiano.
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