Both of Beethoven’s 19th and 20th piano sonatas form his Op. 49 (respectively numbers 1 and 2). They are short, relatively simple pieces, and it is often said that their 1805 publishing was made out of economic urgency by the composer.
These compositions are referred to as the “Leichte Sonaten” (Easy Sonatas) and were most likely composed by Beethoven as teaching pieces meant to be passed around to his friends and students. Later, his brother decided they were important and he took them to a publishing house.
It is believed that, had Beethoven himself released this sonatas for publication, he would have called them sonatinas, owing to its modest proportions.
For me, this music is charming because of its seeming simplicity. There is plenty of opportunity for the performer to be expressive.
Here is Valentina Lisitsa to play this music for you:
