Beethoven titled sonatas

[amanfang]

Where could I find information (history, etc.) on Beethoven's titled sonatas?

[Kassaa]

Yes, and if someone is going to give a reply, please also say which one are named by Beethoven himself. (I know Hammerklavier is, Moonlight isn't)

[amanfang]

I thought Lebewohl and Pathetique were the only ones he named.

[mrchops10]

I thought Lebewohl and Pathetique were the only ones he named.

To say he named Hammerklavier is indeed a bit of a stretch. He called it his op. 106 a "sonata for hammerklavier" merely because it was meant to be played on only a modern piano (at that time). He actually specified this for all the late sonatas, but the word I guess seemed to match the somewhat percussive, baroque nature of this sonata. Unfortunately, this means that many people actually hammer it.

Amanfang is correct that he only named two. Lebewohl is now usually called "Les Adieux," and as far as I know, all other titles are provided either by editors of the time (e.g. Moonlight), or arose later. IMO, they have varying degrees of relevancy.

[cfortunato]

I thought Beethoven named the Moonlight Sonata, but he named it "Sonata Like a Fantasy," not "Moonlight."

[Kassaa]

And Waldstein, didn't Beethoven name it after  mr. Waldstein died?