Piano Forum

I would like to know everyones 5 favourite sonatas of ludwig van beethoven, in my opinion -

the pastoral - for the inner beauty the piece holds in    the first and final movement, with a dark and mysterious 2nd movement followed by a short sherzo.

the pathetique- the sudden cminor chord starting the grave,which rushes into a fantastic allegro con molto with a heavy tremelo in the bass,difficult to play well,then the ever famous andante cantabile and a cracking third movement which somewhat portryas the style of mozart.

op 109 in E- a dreamy first movement of vivace ma non troppo with a lovely singing tone which is followed by a rushing prestissimo. a final movement of six variations which shows off all the colours of many of his earlier works.

appasionsonata- what a master peice maybe suffers from what they say as being very pianistic in tradition, allegro assai in my opinion puts across a very depressing picture put is a fantastic movement with precise trills playing itself in two different keys,
adante con moto looked at as being not great in difficulty but one would have to exact every detail written its depth.then one of the most outstanding movements written the allegro ma non troppo which i cannot play and will not attempt untill i feel ready.again every detail needs to grap the audience especially the melody which changes hand occasionaly. a heavy movement which runs to a final presto staccato prior to the final fminor arpeggios which follow to the deep awaited final chords.  i would love to hear from you who can play the piece and know it well.

my favourie sonata  the tempest- an amazing first movement which gradually buils up to a dreamy singing tone in the right hand which continually reaches a high crescendo, the middle movement quite dull as one first listens but is rich in texture and the true beauty can be heard after a while, then follows the almost magical third movement again which enables you this dreamy feeling which comes and goes as the piece goes on, what a spectacular version from alfred brendal.

Thanks for reading my favourite sonatas, id love to hear all of yours, as beethoven was such a great composer and his sonatas have made so many of us smile.

Also if anyone has an opinion on on my favourite sonata outside beethoven which is chopins sonata no 3 in bminor- an array of chopins smaller peices shows in the allegro maestro,followed by an the fast flowing eflat sherzo a melodic 3rd movement whci shows two colours to the piece and that amazing presto ma non tanto,one of my favourite movements ever heard especially after seeing evgeny kissin perform it at the royal albert hall, your opinions would be greatly appreciated

thank you all     Matt Haley   im 18, and new to the forum thanks