Best Sonatas of the Classical era?

[williampiano]

Of all the composers of the Classical era, who do you think wrote the best piano sonatas and why are they the best?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Beethoven

[ktack]

Mozart

[scherzo123]

Beethoven 

[j_menz]

Never really been comfortable categorising Beethoven as classical, other than his very early stuff. So, leaving him out of the equation: Clementi.

[49410enrique]

agreed with above. my vote would probably go to Mozart. pure magic.

Clementi really should be considered though. Beethoven was reportedly a huge fan of them. Prolly early Hummel too (simialr prob with classifying him as totally classical as he was like Beethoven, bridging to the romantic, though he was as adventourous with the content and transformation but rather experimented more with the form extedning it and making them larger scale works/longer etc.).

[emrysmerlin]

Never really been comfortable categorising Beethoven as classical, other than his very early stuff. So, leaving him out of the equation: Clementi.

For me the most "perfect" classical Beethoven sonata would be his Piano Sonata No.4 in E flat major Op.7.

I think most Mozart sonatas are quite good in quality, but then I haven't heard them all.

Btw is Scarlatti counted as a classical composer?

[outin]

Btw is Scarlatti counted as a classical composer?

Nope, he lived in the Baroque era.

[thalbergmad]

Dussek & Woelfl

[starstruck5]

Dussek & Woelfl

Who is Woelfl?  Never heard of him!

I feel Haydn should be given a mention -although if we don't call Beethoven an early romantic -then he is the man -

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Never really been comfortable categorising Beethoven as classical, other than his very early stuff. So, leaving him out of the equation: Clementi.

I agree, he's more romantic. 

[sasuke_10]

Mozart.

[evitaevita]

Beethoven AND Mozart