Piece Description

Use this clip to enhance your introduction to Jonathan Biss playing Beethoven, including Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 8 ("Pathetique"), 15, 27 and 30 (EMI 94422); Beethoven "Appassionata" Sonata and Fantasy in G minor, Op. 77 (EMI 85894).  JB's complete discography is available at arkivmusic.com.

SUGGESTED HOST INTRO
The musical heights reached by Beethoven stretch even higher when you consider the enormous physical challenges he overcame, from total deafness to his other chronic health problems.  And by the way, his personal life wasn't all that great either.  That perspective helps Jonathan Biss determine the way he approaches Beethoven's music.

CLIP TRANSCRIPT
"If he put himself through that, to produce what he produced, how can you ask anything less than everything from yourself in trying to play it?  You know, I mean it's true of all great music that you never really feel equal to it, but I think with Beethoven, you really feel like if you don't use all of your blood and sweat and tears and, you know, everything else you have in you, then you don't deserve to, try even."

SUGGESTED HOST OUTRO
Pianist Jonathan Biss discussing his - and perhaps every pianist's obligations - when playing Beethoven's music.  Here's Jonathan Biss bringing his own "blood, sweat and tears" to Beethoven's (insert music title).

(To download a .txt file of this suggested copy, look under the "Additional Files" for this piece.)


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