Author: LaurieBell
Date: 2016-04-18 14:56
I have a stylist question concerning the Beethoven Quintet in Eb for Piano and Winds op. 16 III - Rondo.
QUESTION: Would you play the opening theme with separation (not quite staccato)? Or would you play it legato? Or would you support the piano playing in a different style than the winds (piano plays legato, winds play with more separation?)
The Rondo is in 6/8 (played two beats to the measure). The piano enters first with the theme, marked in the music with staccato notes with a slur (or tie). The winds enter 8 measures later, repeating the theme; however their music is marked with staccato notes "without" the slur.
Our ensemble has had some discussion over the style of the staccato notes and agreed we should play them with some separation, but not overly short (like in a march).
However our pianist plays these notes in a marked difference, which almost sounds legato to me. When I questioned her about that, she played the theme once and it sounded like it had separation, but when she applied the pedal it fills in the separation with sound, making the passage sound legato.
I've listened to a variety of performances on YouTube and some are played with a distinct separation, while others are not. As a clarinet player, this rondo sounds instinctively to me like it should be played with separation. Our ensemble has agreed to disagree and so the piano plays the theme in one style, the winds in another. But that really bugs me musically. Would love to know what you think.
Here is a recording on YouTube that reflects how I interpreter the rondo (with marked separation of the theme):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztAFrBzwfw8
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The Clarinet BBoard
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