Octave Glissando: Was It as Difficult for Beethoven?

Was the octave glissando in Beethoven's C Major Piano Concerto as difficult for Beethoven as it is for today's pianists? Let's look at the problem on Beethoven's instrument.

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TRANSCRIPT

Let’s talk about the octave glissando in Beethoven's C Major piano concerto, Op. 15.

I’ve seen pianists do this on modern pianos, but it is an extremely difficult technique and many pianists — including prominent professionals — have resorted to splitting the scale between the two hands in some way.

Let's take a look at Beethoven's piano. The action is extremely light. The key depth is very shallow compared to modern pianos. And, the weight is only 5 or 6 grams compared to upwards of 60 grams on modern pianos.

Compare it to an everyday task like putting away dishes. Putting away one plate isn’t so tedious. But, imagine that it was 10 plates [at a time] instead. The job suddenly becomes a lot more difficult.

That was a silly example, but it is exactly what modern pianists do every day when they play music by Mozart and Beethoven.

So, due to the lightness of the action on these Viennese fortepianos, the octave glissando in Beethoven's C-Major piano concerto… is easy.