Expert: Jim Frimmer - 9/13/2009

Question
At the beginning of the third mvt. of Beethoven's Tempest sonata, the sheet music shows that the 2nd note of each left hand arpeggio is tied. Does this mean that these notes should be held down? I'm asking because no one that I've seen perform this sonata holds down those tied notes, so I was wondering if the tie means something else. Also, why do the first two notes of each of those arpeggiated figures have stems going both up and down? I wasn't sure if that was indication of melody or not.
Thankyou!

Answer
Tied notes mean they should be held.  It's possible that the performers that you've seen NOT do this are using the pedal to sustain the note (which makes for a more blurry sound).  I have performed this piece and I DO hold these notes.  The stems going up and down are probably a voicing issue.  Beethoven wanted these notes emphasized and the stems going up and down are indicative of that (along with the tied note).