Beethoven composed 32 piano sonatas during his lifetime. For the past several years, my personal favorite has been the number 31 in A-Flat Major. I find that A-Flat is a real “consolation key”…
I listened to the opening movement of this great favorite, and I loved it. He plays ar a somewhat slower tempo, which allows the music to linger on fasor me!!
Beethoven’s last three sonatas, Nos. 30, 31, 32 were composed during 1820-22 and are considered some of the most difficult works in the repertoire. The NY Times said “[Alexandre Tharaud] imbued the opening of Beethoven’s Sonata No.31 (Op. 110) with a poetic introspection…” Says I: Yes, exacly…!
Here is Alexandre Tharaud in the wonderful opening movement of Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 110:
