Classical Music Forum banner

Favorite Beethoven piano sonatas

9K views 20 replies 21 participants last post by  Vaneyes 
#1 ·
Beethoven composed lots of great music but i think that he was best at writing Piano sonatas&symphonies.
So which one of his 32 piano sonatas are your favorite ones?
My favorites are(not in particular order):

- Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor ("Pathétique")
- Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor 'Sonata quasi una fantasia' ("Moonlight")
- Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor ("Tempest")
- Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor ("Appassionata") (1805) Probably my favorite.
- Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major ("Hammerklavier") (1819)
 
#6 ·
I have never really gotten over the bias brought by Moonlight being my first favorite classical piece and the reason I bought my first digital keyboard. So I would have to say 14.

I happened to name most of my online usernames "clairdelune" and everyone always asks if I meant Debussy... No, I hate that "clair de lune" I just happened to be taking French at the time...

As with many pieces, I love Claudio Arrau's recording the best.
 
#11 ·
I like his late sonatas best, the last four in particular. Of those, I'd probably pick no. 31 op. 110. The first movement seems so harmless. The second provides a stirring contrast. But the third is absolutely outstanding. The emotional and stylistic distances he traverses within just that one movement are incredible. Like a journey from one end of the universe to the other. Yet somehow it all fits together.
 
#18 ·
I am sure it varies time to time for many people. My current favorite would be Op. 111 No. 32. The second movement: starting with simple aria, and oh boy, does it become a huge symphony or something? Great summary of the composer's whole life and artistic achievement!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top