As host and violinist Scott Yoo and pianist Anna Polonsky attempt to record Beethoven’s “Kreutzer” Sonata, the increasingly irritated composer reminisces about his own history with the piece.
TRANSCRIPT
[Scott Yoo and Anna Polonsky play Beethoven's 'Kreutzer' Sonata]. But clearly it is playable. Today all the best players do.
So you won in the end, your greatness is recognized again.
I didn't say it was great. No? It's passable.
It's quite more than that. I've listened to it dozens of times. Fine then, it's good. It's remarkable. It's just not good enough!
That moment there. Yes, it's extraordinary. It's ordinary.
It's so expected. Can't you see? No! No of course not!
Kreutzer was right, I should have rewritten it. You are too self critical.
How do you know? I know! Me! I know it's not good enough.
[The music stops]. Sorry guys. Did you hear something just now?