Performative gestures in Beethoven’s piano sonatas

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discussion of how the character of physical body movements conveys expression and affects the creation of a musical work. The primary focus of this phenomenological study is on kinesthetic gestures or body movements which pianists use in their performances in order to create the musical-poetic content in a corporeal performing form. The main discussion is concentrated on the analysis of movements that emanate from the characteristics of the piano technique, particularly of technical elements in the piano sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven.