3

This is the opening of the second movement of Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata (Op. 13), Schenker edition, published by Dover.

This edition seems to suggest playing each of the three notes comprising the opening chord with a pinky finger. Regrettably, I seem to lack the requisite anatomy.

Have I misunderstood what the editor is suggesting, or have I found a misprint?

enter image description here

Improve this question
4
  • The middle 5 must be a typo don't you think?
    – Todd Wilcox
    Feb 20, 2017 at 3:28
  • That was my guess. I first realized that the middle 3 in the second measure presumably refers to my right hand (after contorting my left hand unpleasantly) and only then noticed this middle 5. I'm guessing typo, but I'm still a beginner so it occurred to me that maybe I had misunderstood.
    – Anonymous
    Feb 20, 2017 at 3:42
  • What I want to know is how do you get three pinky fingers
    – user30646
    Feb 20, 2017 at 6:21
  • The whole fingering looks like it's written for a Martian. I'd recommend you to ignore it completely (unless you are a Martian of course).
    – yo'
    Feb 20, 2017 at 14:49

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

The 5 on the 16th note is a misprint. Presumably it should be a 2 or 3. (Personally, I think the rest of the fingering for both hands in bar 1 is weird - but that's a different issue!)

Your edition copies the notation of the first edition (https://imslp.org/wiki/Special:ImagefromIndex/50958/torat) but for an "instructive" edition with fingering, etc, it would have been better if the editor had used a bracket [ to show that the 16th notes should be played with the right hand, or rewritten the music as in the Breitkopf und Härtel edition https://imslp.org/wiki/Special:ImagefromIndex/51718/torat).

First edition: enter image description here

B&H edition: enter image description here

Improve this answer
0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.