This piano sonata was composed in 1796, and dedicated to Joseph Haydn, whom Beethoven had studied with and was highly influenced by in his youth.
Beethoven's early compositions have their difficulties, and I do not agree with they notion that they are easy. For example, his Second Piano Concerto is not easy at all, presenting many musical difficulties as well as the difficulty of playing it correctly in style.
Yes, this piano sonata is special, and is indeed a big work. Having studied this sonata myself, I can tell you this is a highly difficult work, with both technical and musical challenges. The first movement, Allegro con brio, is very challenging technically, and the double thirds in the main theme are notoriously difficult. This piece is well-respected and played in competitions. As you say, when we play Beethoven, we think in terms of orchestra. Many of his sonatas can be orchestrated, including this one. The broken octaves that end the Exposition in the first movement, as well as the end of the first movement, represent the orchestral strings doing tremolos.
The first movement is very energetic, vibrant, and bright. The second movement, in E Major, is much more singing, and in the style of a string quartet. This is the gem of the piece, and is perhaps one of Beethoven's most beautiful slow movements ever written. Like the second movement in the Op. 10 No. 3, there is use of Romanticism in this movement. One of my former teachers told me "People will not think they are hearing Beethoven, they will think they are hearing Brahms when they listen to this movement". Perhaps, this can be proven by the emotional drama in the middle section of this slow movement, during the stormy moments. Even in his earliest compositions, Beethoven had hints of Romanticism already. My current teacher says that his early compositions combine the elements of Romanticism and Classicism together. The Second Piano Concerto in B-flat Major Op. 19 has moments of Romanticism and Classicism.
The third movement is humorous, bouncy, and bubbly. This movement presents many technical challenges in both the Minuet and the Trio. The Minuet section contains many jumps, and to avoid missing, DO NOT RUSH! The Trio has very fast and light arpeggios that require a light touch and almost no pedal.
The last movement has to be extremely light and fun, and Mozartean. To play lightly, be sure to voice the tops in the 6ths in the main theme. This movement is filled with the fun and magic of the Classical period. There are thirds trills at the end of the movement. This movement is extremely difficult, but it will be worth it all.
When studying this piece, SMILE! Smile at your audience! Smile at the jury! Smile on the day of your Carnegie debut in front of 2,000.
Topic: Beethoven Op.2 No.3