[mparta]

and as for favorites, Op. 101 and 109, the latter despite the mysteries of the last variation. I think Richter has been quoted as saying that people talk about the difficulties of the Hammerklavier but Op. 101 is just as tough. Probably not quite but I certainly feel the bars that have his attention. Waldstein, Pastoral, Op. 14#1, Op. 78. Wow. Richesse.

 

[GSHAPIROY]

For me the top three are definitely op. 10 no. 3, op. 27 no. 1, and op. 101.

 

[Marc]

Impossible to make a choice. Beethoven's piano sonatas are a gold mine.

Opus 31, nos. 2 (Sturm) and 3 (Jagd) have 'always' been 2 favourites.
As has opus 79 (Kuckuck), opus 90 (so beautiful) and 109. The latter goes directly to my heart, whatever that may mean.

But honestly, there are so many.

 

[Highwayman]

Here's ranked list of my favourites:

1 - No. 29 "Hammerklavier"
2 - No. 21 "Waldstein"
3 - No. 31
4 - No. 26 "Les Adieux"
5 - No. 28
6 - No. 23 "Appassionata"
7 - No. 32
8 - No. 17 "Tempest"
9 - No. 30
10 - No. 8 "Pathetique"
11 - No. 11
12 - No. 27
13 - No. 7
14 - No. 25 "Cuckoo"
15 - No. 4 "Grand Sonata"
16 - No. 18 "The Hunt"
17 - No. 15 "Pastoral"
18 - No. 13 "Quasi Una Fantasia"
19 - No. 1
20 - No. 3
21 - No. 9
22 - No. 12 "Funeral March"
23 - No. 6
24 - No. 22
25 - No. 2
26 - No. 24 "à Thérèse"
27 - No. 16
28 - No. 20
29 - No. 14 "Moonlight"
30 - No. 19
31 - No. 5
32 - No. 10

 

[consuono]

If only one Beethoven piano sonata could survive I would want it to be Op. 106. It's in a crazy-brilliant league of its own.

 

[Triesta]

Op 109. To me all the late sonatas except this one present listening difficulties, despite their undoubted greatness. I *really* have to be in a certain mood to listen to the entire Hammerklavier (especially the first movement) or Op 111 (again, the first movement yearns to be orchestrated). Again, Op 110 is obviously an astonishing achievement, but I have never 'got it' in some ways. Maybe it's the inwardness? Op 109 on the other hand seems like a perfect expression of the late style, especially of course the last movement. Of the earlier sonatas of course there are so many that one returns to (the Op 10s, the Op 31s), but Pollini playing 'Les Adieux' is always a completely invigorating experience: a shot of pure Beethoven. I'm just glad there are thirty two of them: inexhaustible, even after 30 years of listening.

 

[JoachimBlas26]

Uf All of them, the Hammerklavier, Les Adieux and The Tempest are my top 3 maybe, but these preferences can change everyday.

 

[JohnP]

Since first hearing Myra Hess play it, decades ago, it has been Op. 109. The last movement is a miracle, and few pianists play it to suit me. Some examples: Hess, Barbosa, Kovacevich.

 

[Livly_Station]

Since first hearing Myra Hess play it, decades ago, it has been Op. 109. The last movement is a miracle, and few pianists play it to suit me. Some examples: Hess, Barbosa, Kovacevich.

I recommend Anatoly Vedernikov.

 

[Livly_Station]

It changes, but my favorites today are...

SS-tier:
30
31
32

S-tier:
28
15
23

A-tier
29
21
18
17
14
25
22
27
24
7
6
3

B-tier
9
8
1
12
13
2
10
5
19
20

C-tier
11
26
16
4