Wilhelm Kempff plays Beethoven's Sonata No. 8, Op. 13 (Pathétique)

The Piano Sonata No. 6, Op. 13 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), performed by Wilhelm Kempff (1895-1991).
Copyright owned by Deutche Grammophon.

[@JoePalau]

Kempf toured Poland in 45 right after the war ended to war torn, exhausted Poles. It was an act of extraordinary humanity. He filled the halls standing room only. Tears on the faces of the audiences. This was reported to me by a Pole in his Warsaw audiences. This is what Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart, Chopin and Bach meant to survivors of the horror of war - Kempf rushed to their aid. ❤️🙏❤️

[@pippopaperini191]

Ho ascoltato questa interpretazione centinaia di volte, è un disco DG che mi ha regalato mio padre molti anni fa. Ed ogni volta si resta senza parole perchè Kempff è totalmente al servizio di Beethoven, con amore ed umiltà. Nessun artificio, nessun orpello, solo musica. Ogni nota è semplice e chiara, ogni nota è vera.

[@SpontaneityJD]

❤

[@alikartal8426]

He makes sure that anyone who listens, hears every single note that Beethoven wrote, at the right tempo and it makes the music.

[@jorisligthart5414]

wilhelm kempff is my favourite for Beethoven from my 15 years on, magnificent he is! Of course some others are magnificent too, but he has a unique special touch, so subtle and with such a tenderness!

[@amozart41]

30多年來聽了不少演奏家的詮釋，Kempff這版本是我的最愛。淡淡地彈出雋永的音符

[@georgetteg8424]

One of the best "Pathetique" interpretation. Gorgeous pianist, great artist!

[@user-yh9lz7hc9r]

Agreed!

[@desertwhaler]

I learned of him through his playing of Moonlight Sonata. Also one of the best interpretations! Specifically movement 3 which most people cant seem to do to speed.

[@barc0deblankblank]

He might be a Sith Lord, but he's my favourite pianist.

[@jackko90MI]

Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Wilhelm the Wise?

[@barc0deblankblank]

@@jackko90MI you just won the internet mate

[@curtchurch708]

Lol, so I’m not the only one who’s seen the resemblance….!

[@chadmcmullen4064]

Peace through Strength! Who needs a galactic senate anyways?!

[@raskolnikov1242]

Best comment

[@searchers]

Saw him live in Toronto around 54 years ago. He always played with grace and class.

[@englishfromatoz8970]

I wish they woud invent the time machine because then I would go back in time to watch Kempff play live !

[@user-zr5pb9cm1p]

Lucky you!

[@arjunkhandkar]

This is hands down the best version of the Pathetique. Absolute perfection, it's like Kempff is the reference standard for Beethoven.

[@o.m.e.2984]

Ohh, not at all..try Emil Gilles interpretation

[@alexandraprevost]

Absolutely!

[@wlrlel]

@@o.m.e.2984 Gilels :D

[@danielmalter3373]

He is.

[@fredhoupt4078]

Many folks, maybe the older generation of my own era....consider that Kempff is about as close as you get to a Beethoven gold standard. I would say the same holds true for Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau for vocal works (hear his Schubert).

[@annygandolfo7913]

W. Kempf and A. Rubinsteil. Two marvels, each in his musical world. I discovered both when in my teens (I am now an old lady of 71), but I never experienced comparable emotions with any other maestro since.

[@user-hm8yr4uk6q]

D'you mean Rubinstein? Antony?

[@andrewthorpe9793]

I was a young man of 15 when I heard Kempff play live in London. he was still wonderful in 1980 when he was 85!three Beethoven Sonatas ( ops 7,109 & 111)and a Sonata in C (Kk159) of Scarlatti as an encore., An unforgettable occasion.also Eine menuet von Handel').

[@user-hm8yr4uk6q]

@@andrewthorpe9793, how lucky you are! That's great you appreciate it.

[@englishfromatoz8970]

@@andrewthorpe9793 Hearing Kempff play live must be an unforgettable experience ! ❤❤

[@journey2112]

The master of dynamics,control, touch the yardstick by which all is judged

[@fabiodemarchi570]

Meravigliosa interpretazione. Grandissimo pianista. Beethoven ne sarebbe orgoglioso

[@aspandinshawji9011]

No one played Beethoven like Kempff. The supreme master who will never be surpassed by anyone.

[@Mrmmm88]

Andras Schiff

[@raymondmeouchi830]

Except Maurizio pollinni

[@tassioluan7052]

Murray Perahia

[@aspandinshawji9011]

@@Mrmmm88 I beg to differ.

[@aspandinshawji9011]

@@raymondmeouchi830 Nowhere near Kempff - I am sorry to say

[@olgafjodorova3876]

Он разговаривает с Бетховеном на равных, отсюда столько воздуха в его исполнении и непринуждённости, и каждая интонация точна и выразительна. Он очень, исключительно, хорош -- эта пара хорошо запряжена.

[@FouadFarah10]

He's the best at playing Beethoven

[@Marinavalerevna]

Великолепный Кемпф! Его интерпретация патетической сонаты Бетховена величественна, гармонична, с такой жизненной энергией, что я предпочту её многим другим.

[@bm38.24]

Grave -0:00 Adagio cantabile - 7:19 Rondo. Allegro - 12:15

[@Magicspirit11]

one and only....interpreter of Beethoven. Perfect.

[@edgardoluciocrocetta2437]

Yes, Exactly! Kempf plays the best Beethoven, without discussion (sorry for my poor English)

[@nighthawk690]

Dat is an opinion :P

[@Mrmmm88]

He's probably actually the worst interpreter of Beethoven overall. He is far exceeded by Brendel, Serkin and Schiff

[@cristianmicu]

have you heard about a pianist called Richter?

[@CziffraTheThird]

@@Mrmmm88 Hard to be convinced of this, respectfully!

[@kriteon]

Best Beethoven interpreter who ever lived, there is no argument

[@fiawlty]

And of course Beethoven agrees with you, he just told me. What a prat you are.

[@ellistarceansa8182]

I agree!! Best *interpreter* (as even a 'prat' could have read LOL)

[@Mrmmm88]

Andras Schiff

[@rachgodf03]

There is an argument

[@intelligentinvestor3849]

The best & perfect!!!

[@englishfromatoz8970]

i know it is too slow, but I like it this way, gives me more time to savour each note

[@andream.464]

Who says it’s too slow?

[@dawnmichelle4403]

​@@andream.464 Not I

[@drewbrown3295]

I just love this. His expressions with his phrasing is genius

[@drewbrown3295]

It's my goal to emulate his playing

[@MrMfwettlaufer]

Beautiful!

[@Rosangela161]

A treasure! Thank you. Exquisite. 🌹😊

[@yumarutrain]

ケンプは本当に大好きなピアニスト。

[@bedenerexhepaj293]

So wonderful!!! Thank you!!!

[@Chrismacleod777]

Fabulous playing of fabulous music! 😀

[@terryroux9367]

Played with love ,no showoff.

[@user-hp6gy8zl8z]

Thank you I got full consolation from this music

[@jgamez5023]

Absolute perfection !

[@nighthawk690]

Another Opinion :P

[@youngyi2052]

That's right. He is best !

[@TheVoitel]

No, it isn’t. With Kempff you never get perfection, there is always something that could be better ... But while not being perfect, it is still one of the most wonderful performances, because the music Kempff plays is alive. It tells a story. And *that* is was makes Kempff great.

[@jduff59]

@@TheVoitel that is a fair assessment - the internet is rife with comments like "perfection" and "the best" and that's all BS.

[@olgafjodorova3876]

Интересная была у Бетховена работа: он работал на Вечность... Изумительный музыкант Вильгельм Кемпфф. Очень его люблю, он нежный и сентиментальный. Мне кажется, никто не исполняет Бетховена так органично, как этот немец.

[@carlosm.lopez-fe3211]

Kempff siempre magistral.

[@erikasono565]

ケンプフの弾くベートーヴェンのソナタ、特にこの《パテティーク》と《月光》は、父が大好きで、よく日曜日に聴いていました。必然的に、細かなニュアンスまで耳についてしまっているようなところがあります。 ですから、私にとっても、長らくベートーヴェンの《パテティーク》と言えば、ケンプフでした。 端正で、少し近寄りがたいような、気高い理想と深い人間性を静かに秘めている。 - そのケンプフの演奏が、最高で唯一絶対ではないのかもしれないと思うようになったのは、バドゥーラ＝スコーダがオリジナル楽器で弾くベートーヴェンのソナタを聴いてからかな？ バドゥーラ＝スコーダは、ハイドンとモーツァルトのソナタはシャンツで録音しているけれども、ベートーヴェンとシューベルトのソナタは、曲に合わせて何台ものオリジナル楽器を使い分けていますよね。 《パテティーク》に選んだのは、ヴァルターのハンマーフリューゲル。モダンの楽器より倍音が弱く、残響が短いオリジナル楽器なのに、深い音色と、端正なケンプフとは一味違う、情熱を秘めた演奏。 - 確か、ソナタ全曲の録音の際には、まだ彼はヴァルターのハンマーフリューゲルを自分では所有していず、この曲だけのために借りていたように思うのですが……。 その後、貴重なヴァルターのハンマーフリューゲルを手に入れたバドゥーラ＝スコーダが、２０１０年に彼のアパートを訪ねた際に、そのヴァルターのハンマーフリューゲルでモーツァルトのアダージョハ短調を得意げに弾いてくれたのが忘れられません。 - 私が幼少時に飽きるほど聴いていた、父の愛蔵盤のケンプフのＬＰは、私が生まれる前に録音されたものでしょう。 ケンプフは、ずいぶん長生きしているし、私が音楽の専門的な勉強を始めるようになった高校時代にも、FM放送などでよく流れていました。 けれども、我々の世代で、ケンプフの生演奏を聴いたことのある日本人は少ないはず。 私がウィーンに資料研究滞在するようになって、バドゥーラ＝スコーダの生演奏を聴くようになった９０年代後半には、９６歳の長寿だったケンプフも、もうこの世の人ではありませんでした。 - その時代、その時代で、「理想の音楽の形」として人々の心に残っていく音楽家や演奏スタイルは変わっていく。 小学生の頃に、イタリア歌劇団の来日でドミンゴの美声に惚れ込んで、オペラの華やかな世界に憧れ、中学生になって、ＦＭ放送から流れてくるバドゥーラ＝スコーダの弾くモーツァルトの調べに一条の光をみた。 ドイツリートの決定版と言われるフィッシャー＝ディースカウの演奏に出会ったのは大学に入ってからかな？ - フィッシャー＝ディースカウの生演奏を聴いたのは、ドイツ留学後の８０年代後半。ドミンゴやバドゥーラ＝スコーダの生演奏を聴いたのは、ウィーンに資料研究滞在するようになった９０年代後半。 フィッシャー＝ディースカウが演奏活動を辞める直前のシューベルティアーデ音楽祭でのコンサートや、ヘルマン・プライの恐らくは最後のコンサートとなったウィーン楽友協会ブラームスザールでのコンサートも私は聞きました。 バドゥーラ＝スコーダの生演奏を公開の場で最後に聴いたのは、２０１０年、ウィーン美術館内でのサロンコンサートかな？ - 「この人の演奏こそ、決定版」と繰り返し聴いた偉大な音楽家が、衰えて、次々に演奏活動をやめて引退し、やがて亡くなっていく。まるで、蝋燭の灯が燃え尽きるように。 今まだ存命中なのはドミンゴくらいかな？ それだけ、私自身の人生も残り少なくなってきて、次世代にバトンタッチされていくということですね。 偉大な音楽家達の録音は残るけれども、その生演奏を知る世代は少なくなっていく。同じ時代を生きて感じた人でなければ分からないこともあるのに。 次の時代に、自分は何を伝えられるのか？　改めて、考えてしまいます。

[@jduff59]

Claiming that any version is "The Best" is a puerile statement. Music is so much open to interpretation and adaptation that it's really impossible to say one is the best, because you are imposing your opinion on other people. How about we say this is a wonderful version of a masterpiece and leave it at that. That is the beauty of music.

[@callasite55]

Bravo. My sentiments exactly. What is it about youtube that turns otherwise intelligent commentators into fatuous idiots prattling on about "The Best?" Kempff is superb. But what about Arrau, Serkin, Schnabel, Brendel, Rubinstein, and many others? I may have my preferred pianists. But THE BEST? Please...

[@denismarenco7659]

You're dead right! Most of people stop being objective as soon as they focus on their own music interpretation tastes. At this point they become 'blind' and "what I like" easily becomes "the best", and "what I don't like" easily becomes "the worst".

[@ardarico]

Best comment ever! :P

[@Vextrove]

@@callasite55 To be fair, you have to have a very high IQ to understand Beethoven. The music is extremely subtle, and without a solid grasp of music theory most of the patterns will go over a typical listener's head. There's also Beethoven's explosive personality, which is deftly woven into his music. The musicians understand this stuff; they have the intellectual capacity to truly appreciate the depths of these pieces, to realize that they're not just interesting - they say something deep about LIFE. As a consequence people who dislike Beethoven truly ARE idiots. I'm smirking right now just imagining one of those addlepated simpletons scratching their heads in confusion as Beethoven's genius unfolds itself in the sonata. What fools... how I pity them. 😂 And yes by the way, I DO have a Beethoven tattoo. And no, you cannot see it. It's for the ladies' eyes only- And even they have to demonstrate that they're within 5 IQ points of my own (preferably lower) beforehand.

[@chaskiandcie]

I haven't read such obnoxious and pretentious comment in a long time. Thanks for reminding me there are still people like you on earth.

[@mehmetiksel3081]

His sound is consistently naked. Stark naked. When he strikes the keys, they produce something apparently devoid of any artifice. So simple and evident. So Beethoven!

[@mikeclarke6537]

to me personally this is the penultimate version . I adore this mans version

[@virvisquevir3320]

mike clarke - What's the ultimate version then?

[@MrMickmonk]

depends on a persons likes .. this to me is the best version that I've heard .. I don't like any other .. bearing in mind there's is NO such thing as a perfect rendition .. all depends on the person who's listening .. OR playing … and to me this is it

[@autodidact2499]

As Adam Amsterdam said 3 years ago, "Sorry, "penultimate" means second to last, not the best." If you don't know what a word means, then don't use it!

[@LisaBeergutHolst]

@@virvisquevir3320 😆

[@TheVoitel]

@@autodidact2499 That depends on what ordering you use. In the sense of a ranking the best is the first, but in the sense of a score the best is the last. In the sense of refinement the first version is the least refined one and the last one is the most refined one. In fact it might be more correct to see "ultimate" as "final", not as "last".

[@TonyHeymans]

Wilhelm Kempff is a great piano player

[@r.i.p.volodya]

Kempff is one of the few pianists to DOUBLE dot the opening Grave...

[@Tenorgeiger]

If I remember rightly, his was the first record I ever owned. I played it almost until the needle wore through it!

[@buxthierry5518]

Merveilleux !!!

[@pnarucar5544]

Perfect✨👏🏻🌸💖

[@fredhoupt4078]

I return to Kempf if I want a Beethoven filtered through clear mountain streams, cleansed of affectations and exaggerations.

[@machida5114]

I used to listen to it every day until the record was worn out. After all, Beethoven is Kempff. Furtwängler also said so.

[@Timmy21Spurs]

טורו יודה where can I find furtwangler quote about kempff?

[@machida5114]

@@Timmy21Spurs www.saturn.dti.ne.jp/~arakicho/wien60/wien6009.html ※in Japanese フルトヴェングラーの言葉に、「ケンプの一分間の演奏のためなら、バックハウスの一時間を引きかえにしてもいい」というのがある。 Furtwängler said, "I can replace one hour performance by Backhaus with one minute performance by Kempff."

[@Timmy21Spurs]

as a big kempff fan, may I ask the context of this? טורו יודה

[@machida5114]

@@Timmy21Spurs This article is mostly about Backhaus. In that context, it is written that Backhaus were not considered German in Germany around the time of World War II. As an example, the words of Furtwängler are quoted. In fact, Furtwängler seems to have liked playing by Kempff. He also saying, "Tonight, I will listen to Kempff's Beethoven record!"

[@Timmy21Spurs]

טורו יודה Thanks so much, Sir!!

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

Wilhelm Kempff one of the greatest pianists of all time like Rubinstein Gilels R.Lupu G.Sokolov D.Lipatti M.Perahia M.Pollini S.Richter. Bu the top four has to be R.Lupu Kempff A.Rubinstein E.Gilels These had a golden tone most beautiful piano sound

[@marymroe9]

When we say best of all time that would also include giants like Liszt, Brahms, Mozart, Chopin, and of course the Master himself - Beethoven. And don't forget the one woman all classical pianists love to hate - Clara Schumann.

[@ikseldecorativearts8139]

You forget Arrau (instead of Pollini)

[@matmm75006]

You forget Horowitz !

[@GEORGESNADIM]

Geörgy Cziffra ?!!

[@DA-um2fv]

The best. best ever. when i hear it, i did know

[@nighthawk690]

Another Opinion :P

[@michaelcarbajalmendoza8230]

outstanding

[@steveikerd7]

It is NOT slow. It is played as Beethoven timed the tempo. You have heard sloppy versions before, that's why your ear is off!

[@antoniomunoz1932]

Acabo de oír otra de mi querido Barhemboim, una no desmerece la otra. El problema creo que está en que la gente piensa que la vida es un concurso en Disneylandia.

[@antoniomunoz1932]

Existen seres protohumanos que viven en la idiocia, capaces de dar un voto negativo a esta interpretación...qué decir...me quedo roto. Tiene mi reconocimiento y todo lo que yo puedo agradecer desde mi adolescencia... cuando yo era eso... adolescente. Han pasado muchos años y es una interpretación formidable por los siglos... el que quiera que aprenda.

[@gracebotelho1532]

Definitely Wilhem Kempf was the pianist. His interpretations of Beethovem and Brahms are superior. He was the best interpreter of Beethoven piano compositions ever.

[@robbydyer4500]

Which Brahms do you recommend by Kempff?

[@Johanna650]

La perfecció personificada. He escoltat moltes versions de la preciosa sonata aquesta, però no hi ha cap que se li sembli

[@user-gr6vu6oy4p]

좋아요!!!

[@buxthierry5518]

Que dire ? L'expression même du Génie !!

[@qnoquai]

@rapter9800: From wich year is this recording? ... Thanks for uploading! BR Kuno

[@user-ov5zi3kn4i]

캠프의 베토벤 소나타는 걍 최고~!!!!

[@xiaohantonysun6732]

12:17

[@eliasmq]

Lindo

[@JYGamerDad]

12:15 is fire

[@user-qj8qv5wz8k]

베토벤연주의 최고!

[@Don-bv3px]

The tempo makes sense

[@winterheat]

7:18 Second Movement

[@Sofie424]

7:17 2nd mvt 12:15 3rd mvt

[@nighthawk690]

CAUTION: this is a note note to SELF, so DO NOT expect this to be good/wonderful!!! :P :D xP xD :O :) (: | | DO NOT OPEN!!!! >:( \|/ Sonata No.8 Op13 (Pathétique) movement 3= 12:12 Edit: Bar 60= 13:32 Bar 119-20= 14:47 Bar 170= 15:50

[@hodong_0723]

7:17, 12:15

[@mybuttlookslikeurfac]

I like it better than Barenboim!

[@markswanson549]

Barenboim is overrated.

[@mybuttlookslikeurfac]

Mark Swanson Agreed. Who do you think is the best Beethoven interpreter that is still alive?

[@markswanson549]

Ser Stormcrow Good question! All my favorites are dead.

[@markswanson549]

I like Pollini though he plays like he's on crack!

[@loboris1995]

Ser Stormcrow Andras Schiff , he is not that bad .

[@rossabraham1991]

Help needed!! Can anyone identify what metronome number Kempff uses in the third movement? Or for that matter the rest of his Beethoven recordings. His tempos are always perfect!

[@valuations520]

My sense is that most, including Kempff, choose to play this way faster than allegro. This piece has 210 measures at 4/4 for 840 beats total. Even a fast allegro should not be faster than 168 bpm, implying 5 minutes minimum playtime if played a tempo. However, the general pianist consensus seems to be a playtime of about 4:30-4:40, meaning it is typically played as a presto with north of 180 bpm.

[@rossabraham1991]

@@valuations520 bless you!! such power Kempff has of rhythm is really quite something. thanks again

[@rossabraham1991]

@@valuations520 Kempff's 60's recording of the Beethoven 32 Sonatas was the first recording I heard of the piano sonatas. An indelible impression was made!

[@valuations520]

@@rossabraham1991 Kempff is for Beethoven Schubert, and and Schumann, what Rubinstein is for Chopin. Once you have heard it, you feel like you can't have it any other way. Try Kempff's recordings of Beethoven's piano concertos with either Paul van Kempen (mid 1950s) or Ferdinand Leitner (early 1960s). The 4th under van Kempen and the 5th under Leitner are utterly perfect. Fair warning: you cannot "unhear" them and will measure any future performance against them. When Kempff first went to Carnegie Hall in the mid or late 1960s he was nearly 70 years old. The American critic huffed at his lack of technical perfection. With the French and Japanese, on the other hand, he was hugely popular for the quality of sound and the dynamics that were uniquely his own. They appreciated the uniqueness of his sound over any technical (im)perfection that compounded with age.

[@rossabraham1991]

@@valuations520 Beautiful! Thanks for sharing and recommending! I'll take a look at those. I'm curious as to whether there are any masterclasses recorded with Kempff. That quality of sound is so unique I find. I have been enjoying his recordings of the Beethoven violin sonatas with Menuhin.

[@SPLINTER581]

So best version of this sonata, I can think Yuja can do this better But this is hard to do. . Kemppf is the perfektion of this sonata!!

[@saumiasinghal94662]

were you being sarcastic when you said Yuja Wang can do it better?

[@LonelyDeveloper_]

​@@saumiasinghal94662 i think he was not joking , god.

[@TheSjadad]

Sorry, "penultimate" means second to last, not the best.

[@xiaohantonysun6732]

7:18

[@user-yh9lz7hc9r]

Очень красивая интерпретация! Акакая педаль! Мастер педали! От этого и звук волшшебный!

[@machida5114]

ケンプのベートヴェンは、いいですね。

[@ElMelomanopesimista]

Which kempff cycle is this version from?

[@leo32190]

CharlesPierce the second

[@leo32190]

CharlesPierce in my opinion the first is utter garbage

[@xiaohantonysun6732]

3:25

[@marcus4180]

Don´t really understand the "Best of all" enthusiasm... I like many of his Beethoven interpretations, but when you listen to the interpretations of the Pathetique by Annie Fischer, Maria Yudina, also Friedrich Gulda, you might reconsider ... but in the end it´s always a matter of taste.

[@myklkay]

Someone remembered that Allegro does not start at 180 bpm

[@mandybromberger1988]

pretty slow, but the accentuation is on point..never heard a more impressive version of the Pathetique..briliant!

[@jordanharkins97]

As much as I love this I LOVE Freddy Kempff’s take have you ever heard it?

[@hodmchess]

Amazing. My personal favorite recording is Backhaus'. This is better. The best is Edwin Fischer, but my favorite is still Backhaus '.

[@hwh1946]

Sonata #8 not #6.

[@Mrmmm88]

If everyone here claiming that this is the best interpretation of the Sonata pathetique disregards Beethoven's Tempo intentions than you might be correct. However, as usual Kempf is not even close to Beethoven's Tempo marking. It is a half note equals 152. It's quite a bit faster then he plays it. To hear amore correct and appropriate interpretation please listen to Andras Schiff.

[@isabelleniu9615]

My taste: Shen Wenyu's version>Wilhelm Kempff> Daniel Barenboim

[@schwatzy6362]

It is not "Van" Beethoven "Van: is "Dutch" The correct spelling is "Von" Beethoven

[@MasiukA]

Too slow. This is like warm up speed. I prefer Valentina Lisitsa's

[@NissimRA]

MasiukA Lisita performs the grave section too quickly. I prefer Annie Fischer's version the most 😀

[@MasiukA]

+Nissim Raj Angdembay that's sort of true. I wrote this comment a while ago. I know prefer Daniel Barenboim's performance.

[@skylermccloud78]

MasiukA i cant stand lisistsa version i haye almost everything i hear her plays she sucks the emotion dry if everything she plays she doesnt seem to understand theres music underneith the surface if the score that must be played as well

[@judy-chan4536]

Its like a robot playing... lmao. Although it was a pretty damn good robot so I guess there's nothing wrong if lisitsa played as one.

[@petersang7696]

Same on you!

[@user-wd1xc9lr5n]

7:19

[@Isep969]

12:15