Your most favorite Beethoven sonata?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rach3
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around participants sharing their favorite Beethoven sonatas, exploring personal preferences, and debating the significance of various works. The scope includes opinions on specific sonatas, interpretations, and recordings, as well as some confusion regarding terminology related to sonatas and concertos.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a preference for the "Emperor" concerto, despite it not being a sonata, indicating a lack of familiarity with Beethoven's works.
  • Multiple participants favor the "Appassionata" (Piano Sonata No. 23), highlighting its emotional depth and historical context.
  • Others mention the "Moonlight Sonata" (Piano Sonata No. 14) as a favorite, noting its popularity and appeal.
  • Some participants discuss the "Hammerklavier" (Piano Sonata No. 29) for its technical complexity and significance in Beethoven's oeuvre.
  • There is a debate about the prominence of Beethoven's piano sonatas compared to his works for other instruments, with some asserting that the piano sonatas are more widely recognized.
  • Participants share their experiences with various recordings of Beethoven's works, discussing different interpretations and performances.
  • Confusion arises regarding the definition of "sonata," with some participants clarifying that it typically refers to piano sonatas in the context of Beethoven.
  • Some express a preference for specific recordings and performers, indicating a subjective approach to appreciating Beethoven's music.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express individual preferences without reaching a consensus on a single favorite sonata. There are competing views on the significance of various works and the definition of "sonata," leading to an unresolved discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants exhibit uncertainty about the terminology used in the discussion, particularly regarding the distinction between sonatas and concertos. Additionally, there are references to personal experiences with recordings, which may influence opinions but are not universally shared.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in classical music, particularly Beethoven's works, may find this discussion valuable for exploring diverse opinions and interpretations of his sonatas.

Rach3
If you have one?

edit: I meant to include a poll. Oops! In retrospect it would have been useless anyway.
 
Science news on Phys.org
I'm relatively new to western classical. So at the moment I have to say "Emperor" since this is the only one I have heard, and that too only once. :biggrin: I may change my opinion in a few months!

EDIT: Here's proof for what I said in the first sentence...Emperor is a concerto. :blushing: :redface:
 
Last edited:
I don't have any of his Sonata's, although I am 100% sure I have heard them all. So I can't say.

EDIT: Ahh, I only have one on my computer. It's a guitar. Its quite nice.

Dan na na na na dun na na nan a dunnn na na na na dunn an de dun. Eh, you know what I mean. (It's not his 5th symphony that I am humming, though you might think it sounds like it)

Now I am listening to the Egmont Overture.
 
Last edited:
My favourite :

Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor Op. 57, 'Appassionata'

About this work : when Beethoven presented it to his "boss" he was so angry because the guy gave some comments Beethoven did not like. He answered : There will be kings and princes for ever, but there will only be ONE Beethoven.

The "Emperor" is not a sonata , it is a pianoconcerto.

marlon
 
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor Op. 57, 'Appassionata'
Oh, yes, that one is my favorite as well. Of course, Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, "Moonlight Sonata" is a pretty good too. :biggrin:
 
Rach3 said:
If you have one?

edit: I meant to include a poll. Oops! In retrospect it would have been useless anyway.

since I'm not sure what you mean by sonata... :wink:
cello/piano sonata op.69 in A major
piano sonata #3 in C major
violin sonata #1 in D major or #9 in A major (aka "Kreutzer")
 
Waldstein, posssibly because it reminds me of the 2nd movement of the
7th Symphony, which I love. Is it just me or does anyone else see the similarity?
 
"Moonlight" rules!
 
Number 30, Opus 109 in E Major, played by Alfred Brendel. I groove on all the late sonatas, late quartets too; they are a new and deeper Beethoven. And Brendel is my man! Nobody has ever captured this music better, and I've heard some masters play it (I well remember a snowy evening at UW Madison in the early 1960s, with Rudolph Serkin playing all three of tha last sonatats, numbers 29, 30 and 31).
 
Last edited:
  • #10
My favourite sonata has to be the 'Hammerklavier' sonata (Or Piano Sonata No.29 in B flat Major "Hammerklavier"Op.106 for you people who are skeptical on such matter), for its sheer technical virtuosity and its testament to Beethoven's immense counterpoint skills.

If you want to hear that, and all other piano sonatas, here:

http://boyunglee.com/music/beethoven/ps/

Best player in my books is Jeno Jando - His piano playing is high quality, and isn't so eccentric (another reason why I absolutely HATE Glenn Gould)
 
  • #11
fourier jr said:
since I'm not sure what you mean by sonata... :wink:
cello/piano sonata op.69 in A major
piano sonata #3 in C major
violin sonata #1 in D major or #9 in A major (aka "Kreutzer")

When we say 'Beethoven' and 'sonata', it is usually implied that it is the piano sonatas.
 
  • #12
fourier jr said:
since I'm not sure what you mean by sonata... :wink:
cello/piano sonata op.69 in A major

I love that one! The Yo-Yo Ma recording with Ax is awesome - over-the-top, unrestrained romanticism, with liberal doses of humor. Whose do you listen to?

selfAdjoint said:
Rudolph Serkin playing all three of tha last sonatats, numbers 29, 30 and 31).

There is one more - number 32 op. 111! The best of the lot!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #13
Bladibla said:
When we say 'Beethoven' and 'sonata', it is usually implied that it is the piano sonatas.

Unless you're a violinist or cellist. :devil:
 
  • #14
Rach3 said:
Unless you're a violinist or cellist. :devil:

No I MEAN that Beethoven is far, FAR more famous for his piano sonatas than any other sonatas for other instruments.

So it is irrevelant whether you are a violinist or a cellist.
 
  • #15
selfAdjoint said:
Number 30, Opus 106, played by Alfred Brendel.

Hmm, no. 29 op. 106 (Hammerklavier), or the E major no. 30 op. 109?
 
  • #16
Bladibla said:
No I MEAN that Beethoven is far, FAR more famous for his piano sonatas than any other sonatas for other instruments.

So it is irrevelant whether you are a violinist or a cellist.

Even the Kreutzer?
 
  • #17
I'd rather people reference the link I gave in my post for others to hear what the sonatas sound like. This is a open forum, and any knowledge from here should be audible to everyone else.
 
  • #18
Rach3 said:
Even the Kreutzer?

*sigh* Do you really think the average layman knows about the kreutzer sonata more than, say, the moonlight sonata?
 
  • #19
Bladibla said:
*sigh* Do you really think the average layman knows about the kreutzer sonata more than, say, the moonlight sonata?

Meh, Kreutzer's more awesome. I could care less about public opinion.
 
  • #20
Rach3 said:
Meh, Kreutzer's more awesome. I could care less about public opinion.

But the point is we aren't talking about YOUR opinion now, are we?
 
  • #21
Rach3 said:
Hmm, no. 29 op. 106 (Hammerklavier), or the E major no. 30 op. 109?


I mistyped a 6 for a 9. I meant 109. I like the Hammerklavier too, as well as Op 30 and 31, but my personal fave is 29.

I'll go back and edit my post.
 
  • #22
Rach3 said:
I love that one! The Yo-Yo Ma recording with Ax is awesome - over-the-top, unrestrained romanticism, with liberal doses of humor. Whose do you listen to?

i've heard that one, & i also have the ones by rostropovich/richter, casals/serkin, kliegel/tichman, bylsma/immersmeel, pre/baremboim, markson/osorio & schiff/perenyi. the one by kliegel/tichman is definitely the best. the markson/osorio is good too.
 
  • #23
Rach3 said:
I could care less about public opinion.
Or couldn't you?:wink:
 
  • #24
Mk said:
Or couldn't you?:wink:

No, I certainly could. For example, I might have been talking about politics.
 
  • #25
fourier jr said:
i've heard that one, & i also have the ones by rostropovich/richter, casals/serkin, kliegel/tichman, bylsma/immersmeel, pre/baremboim, markson/osorio & schiff/perenyi. the one by kliegel/tichman is definitely the best. the markson/osorio is good too.

Wow that's a lot of recordings, I'd be dizzy and disoriented by that point. I have one recording of this sonata not on that list, I forgot whose it was, but it doesn't matter that much because it was only average...
 
  • #26
selfAdjoint said:
I mistyped a 6 for a 9. I meant 109. I like the Hammerklavier too, as well as Op 30 and 31, but my personal fave is 29.

I'll go back and edit my post.

You're still confused: Hammerklavier is no. 29! I'm guessing you mean no. 30 - the one with the variations.
 
  • #27
Bladibla said:
No I MEAN that Beethoven is far, FAR more famous for his piano sonatas than any other sonatas for other instruments.

So it is irrevelant whether you are a violinist or a cellist.
Good Point.

That's one of the differences between Beethoven and Mozart for example. Mozart wrote famous masterpieces in practically every musical "discipline".

For example, what about opera ? Beethoven wrote Fidelio, but apart from the astonishing ouverture, this piece is really not that good. Especially if you compare it's quality to other works.

Beethoven wrote just one violin concerto, but it is a real masterpiece and very famous (especially the third movement, which is sometimes used in commercials).
 
  • #28
I almost bought a CD of Beethoven Sonatas (8,14,21 and 23) today performed by Wilhelm Kempff. Does anyone of have this?
 
  • #29
neutrino said:
I almost bought a CD of Beethoven Sonatas (8,14,21 and 23) today performed by Wilhelm Kempff. Does anyone of have this?

I don't have it but it must be good for at least two reasons :

1) Kempff
2) The Appassionata is on it (nr 23, the best Beethoven sonata)


marlon
 
  • #30
marlon said:
I don't have it but it must be good for at least two reasons :

1) Kempff
2) The Appassionata is on it (nr 23, the best Beethoven sonata)


marlon
What about the moonlight? :wink: I think I'll get that CD the next time I go there.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • Poll Poll
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • Poll Poll
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
8K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 102 ·
4
Replies
102
Views
11K
  • · Replies 96 ·
4
Replies
96
Views
7K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
5K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K