Beethoven

[chopin2015]

What are some famous and great piano solo sonatas? (doesnt have to be the moonlight) Can you list 5 of your favorites for me? Or more...
What are must-know pieces for someone who wants to become very familiar with this absolute genious of a man and composer?
What is your favorite collaborative work?

Answer as many or as few if the questions as you please. Also, any other info or opinion about Beethoven is welcomed.

Thank you!

[worov]

My favorite sonata is the Waldstein sonata (opus 53), but I love them all. Here's a recordoing of the Waldstein by Claudio Arrau (my favorite Beethoven) performer :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL0JLNt_3EE

Check out the Diabelli variations if you don't know them yet : there are amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hni6k-yQZ1w

I like also his Ecossaises (very easy to play) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOlLDhcU0pE


In his non-piano music, I strongly recommend the string quartets. Here's an excerpt of his opus 132 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-jus6AGHzQ

[elenka]

By Beethoven I really like Sonata n.26 Les Adieux is so various...

third movement (Rondò) of Patetique Sonata

If it's about the must-know pieces (also not piano music)I'd suggest:

1- At least one of his Sonatas (if possible avoid the easiest ones)
2- His sinfonias, the 5th,6th, 9th
3- His string quartet (are very important to understand the evolution of ensamble music) they tend to be very innovative if compared with Haydn or Mozart's ones.
4- Piano concertos are considerate as a turn ahead into modern piano concertos patterns (I'd suggest the third, that I would really like to try if you'd like listen the third mvt)
5- violin sonatas are very beautiful

[pianist1976]

What are some famous and great piano solo sonatas?

Those found inside any recording entitled "Beethoven favorite piano sonatas".

Which one of the 32 sonatas is worth to be known, played, heard, etc? Every of them. Any of them is a gem and in my opinion a person's life is enriched when s/he knows another new Beethoven piano sonata.

[chopin2015]

Those found inside any recording entitled "Beethoven favorite piano sonatas".

Which one of the 32 sonatas is worth to be known, played, heard, etc? Every of them. Any of them is a gem and in my opinion a person's life is enriched when s/he knows another new Beethoven piano sonata.

True, im doing this to decide which sonatas I am going to play next, out of all the great ones.

[mikeowski]

Leaving out the obvious Moonlight and Pathetique, my favorites are:
No.s 1, 3, 6, 17, 21

Or if you don't want to exclusively play sonatas, check out the variations op. 35 and WoO 80. They're awesome!

[maestro57]

I will often tell people that the greatest piano solo piece ever written is Beethoven's Sonata No. 23, Op. 57 ("Appassionata"). I just preached it again!

[maestro57]

True, im doing this to decide which sonatas I am going to play next, out of all the great ones.

Oh, I envy you. I wish I had the talent to play more than just Sonata No. 19 

[chopin2015]

Oooh, I wont say I have talent too much, but I also think you will work your way up to more. Promises!

[bronnestam]

I will often tell people that the greatest piano solo piece ever written is Beethoven's Sonata No. 23, Op. 57 ("Appassionata"). I just preached it again!

I second that. So much emotion and passion, so beautiful, so ... aaah!     I often start crying when I hear it.