Beethoven composed piano sonatas all through his life, which ended in 1827.
The last three sonatas by Beethoven form a group that seems to be a continuum. My personal favorite is the middle one, the Opus 110. And one more thing: The sonata is written in the key of A-Flat. I heard Michael Tilson Thomas explain at one time that this is “The key of consolation”. And that satisfies a personal need for me from time to time…
The autograph of Op. 110 is dated December 25, 1821, but revision continued in January 1822.
The first movement of Op. 110 opens softly and simply – though stopping on a mini-cadenza in the fourth bar is an early warning of the liberties to come, as are the movement heading (Moderato cantabile molto espressivo). And for me, this instruction “Molto Espressivo”, with much expressiveness is the key to the performer’s ability to satisfy me, personally.
The second movement is a scherzo, a highly charged joke of meter-jarring accents, odd gaps, and explosive dynamic contrasts.
The third movement is combined with the slow movement and forms a finale which is a single span, the principal elements of which are an Arioso dolente (lamenting song) and a three-voice fugue.
Listen now to pianist Daniel Barenboim as he performs this amazing Sonata #31 by Beethoven:
