Beethoven: Sonata 20 Op. 49 No. 2 in G Major

Beethoven's Easiest Sonata

Beethoven published this sonata in 1805. That’s 10 years after he wrote it, meaning that it predates even the first symphony. It’s a short work of just about eight minutes in length, it comprises only two movements, and it is also considered the easiest of all the Beethoven piano sonatas. Beethoven often held back pieces that he didn’t think were good enough or that he thought needed further improvement. In the case of this sonata and its immediate predecessor, it was Caspar van Beethoven, the composer's brother, who presented them to a publishing house, most likely against the composer's will. Had Beethoven himself released this sonata for publication, he would have called it a sonatina, owing to its modest proportions and simplified sonata form. This relaxed and playful piece doesn’t hint much at what would come later, but together with Sonata No. 19, the piece does show Beethoven’s quality even though he was feeling out the scope of his composing at the time.