Beethoven's last five piano sonatas are considered his most artistically advanced and emotionally profound compositions in the genre.
Compositional Technique
Beethoven's Sonata in A major, Op. 101, is notable for its loose construction and open form, with an evasive, drifting character that avoids definitive concluding gestures.
Composition History
Despite taking years to finish other major works, Beethoven wrote the complete versions of his last three piano sonatas in about three weeks.
Composer Biography
Beethoven may have suffered from severe depression after realizing he could not marry the 'Unsterbliche Geliebte' (Immortal Beloved), to whom he wrote a famous letter in 1812.
Performer Biography
Ronald Brautigam, one of Holland's leading musicians, was awarded the Nederlandse Muziekprijs in 1984, the highest Dutch musical award.
Instruments
The fortepiano used for this recording was made by Paul McNulty in 2007, modeled after a Conrad Graf instrument from around 1819.
Composer Biography
Beethoven also had to come to terms with his increasing deafness, which was becoming complete around the time he composed these sonatas.
You might also enjoy...
Beethoven, L. Van: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 1 - Sonatas Nos. 8-11
Beethoven: Waldstein & Appassionata Sonatas performed on a Broadwood pianoforte (1806)
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 12-14 and 23
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas
Beethoven, L. Van: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 6 - Sonatas Nos. 21-25
Beethoven, L. Van: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 3 - Sonatas Nos. 4-7
Beethoven, L. Van: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 4 - Sonatas Nos. 12-15
Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Vol. 4
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas Vol. 1
Ludwig van Beethoven Complete Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1
