The Next Dimension

In the reflection of sadness can one truly detect the depth of beauty in one's soul.  When that part of the soul is revealed, the observer is transported to the next dimension, an invisible dimension that touches the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the sacred heart of Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Starting at about 9:15, when Dutch pianist Lucas Jussen started playing the first few notes of Beethoven's Sonata Pathétique (Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13)'s second movement [1], I was transported to this next dimension that is surrounded by absolute beauty that cannot be seen or touched, but felt.

While other pianists are also gifted in piano playing, such as and Yundi Li and Lang Lang, both of whom I admire, their respective interpretation of Beethoven's Sonata Pathétique just do not compare to Lucas Jussen's in terms of genuineness and depth.

I personally find Li's interpretation [2] somewhat contrived.  If Li had intended for the listener to equate his slowness of playing with the depth of emotion written into the piece by Beethoven, he had not succeeded.  To put it bluntly, his piece was to me two-dimensional--a flat translation of notes on a music sheet into sounds.

Compared to Li's, Lang Lang's version [3] sounds wonderful.  Technically brilliant, Lang Lang's version was not as meditative as sadness requires in order that the full extent of the beauty waiting on the other side can be appreciated.  His piece was somewhat rushed and did not reach the emotional depths of the emotionally tormented Ludwig van Beethoven.

Turning to Lucas Jussen's deeply felt version of Beethoven's Sonata Pathétique, I find in the second movement a genuine expression of mature sadness that leads the listener to an abundance of exquisite beauty in the next dimension.  The reflection of sadness was perhaps not fully Lucas' own for he was still relatively young when he played it, but the composer's.

Lucas Jussen, 21, has come a long way since he was a boy when he played with Lang Lang Franz Schubert's Marches Militaires (3) for piano, 4 hands, D. 733 (Op. 51) No.1 [4].

When God gives gifts of talent, they are not identical.  Yundi Li might be able to express near perfectly the soul of Frédéric Chopin's Nocturnes [5] and Lang Lang the soul of Franz Liszt's many compositions [6].  Beethoven might have found the pianist that expresses his soul well overall.  Time will tell if Lucas Jussen or his younger brother, Arthur, [7], or some other pianist, will better, or equally, represent the genius that is Beethoven. [8]


[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndngGMpmFFQ
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6tvFtbSB54
[3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnbH9oKUWIQ
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTAO2X1x-3Q
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BZ3IEQQf4s
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e3sL8o28Ls&list=PL0743A1C73CB32545
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slQ5HWs6LaY & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxJ13RYkac4
[8] Poor Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who best represents his soul at this time?  His music is so delicate and tinged with so many complicated shades of sadness that reveals layers upon layers of beauty in the next dimension that would challenge any pianist who tries to capture his soul.  I think Mitsuko Uchida was able to capture it fairly well at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvRE2wIFbW8&list=RDk4BFTaMYZ7E&index=, especially her interpretation of his Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat major, K. 595 beginning at 17:25 to 23:00.