The most powerful Beethoven piano sonata

[mcdiddy1]

What do you feel is the most powerful Beethoven Piano Sonata ?

For me I love the grand Waldstein Piano Sonata because it is very lyrical nad is swarming with enthusiastic themes. I also love the great strenght and energy it requires. I also love movement three of the Moonlight sonata which i find is very exciting and melancoly

[retrouvailles]

I believe that the last three sonatas are his most powerful. I won't say which of the three is most powerful, for I believe that is extremely subjective, but I know that they are head and shoulders above the rest in terms of power.

[communist]

For me, the most emotionally powerful is the sonata in E minor op.90. I also think the sonata op.28 is emotionally strong.

[weissenberg2]

I have a soft spot for op.78 in F-sharp major. I agree with the previous posts as well, even though I think all of the last 6 are equally as strong.

[retrouvailles]

For me, the most emotionally powerful is the sonata in E minor op.90.

Really? I played that work, and while it is very powerful, it still doesn't measure up to the last three.

[communist]

Really? I played that work, and while it is very powerful, it still doesn't measure up to the last three.

by power does he mean emotionally or in strength?

anyway, I usually do not emotionally connect with Beethoven's music that much, but I do with op.90 which is why I had nominated it.

[scottmcc]

op 57, op 31 2.  surprised that nobody has suggested either of these.

[pies]

My opinion is the last three.  btw, which recs of the last three are the best?  I haven't listened to any of them for over at year I think.

[retrouvailles]

I have some bootlegs of Hamelin which are, believe it or not, really good. Charles Rosen also has some good recordings of the late ones. There are many others I like but that don't come to mind.

[communist]

I have some bootlegs of Hamelin which are, believe it or not, really good. Charles Rosen also has some good recordings of the late ones. There are many others I like but that don't come to mind.

Have you heard Feltsman's recording of op.101 and op.106? he plays both of them very very well. Even Richter could not do a better job.

[retrouvailles]

Yes, I have, and I didn't care for them at all. As a matter of fact, I don't think I have ever cared for any of Feltsman's recordings. You aren't the first one to recommend them to me, either.

[communist]

Really? I thought he held the Hammerklavier together perfectly which is hard to do and it and his op.101 had such energy and musicality. What do you think of Gould's Beethoven?

[imbetter]

Yes, I have, and I didn't care for them at all. As a matter of fact, I don't think I have ever cared for any of Feltsman's recordings. You aren't the first one to recommend them to me, either.

I agree with Communist, to me Feltsman's Beethoven (and frankly a lot of what he plays) is over the top to me. I'm curious as to why you feel this way although you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

[argerichfan]

I have a soft spot for op.78 in F-sharp major.

I've never thought of it as the 'most powerful', unless of course we're referring to the powerful genius behind its conception.  But having played this piece at uni, I can vouch that the second movement was one of the most extraordinarily difficult things I ever tried to memorize. 

Otherwise, it would seem to me that overall, the Op. 106 is one of Beethoven's most powerful compositions, regardless of medium.