Beethoven: Sonata No.32 in C Minor (Pogorelich)

Very possibly Beethoven's greatest sonata (it may or may not be edged out by the Hammerklavier, and also No.31 has a good punt at the title), and certainly one of the greatest piano works ever written. There is a lot to say about this, but suffice to say that Chopin admired it enough to imitate both the beginning and end of the first movement (in the opening of his B-flat Minor sonata, and in the end of the Revolutionary etude respectively).

The boogie-woogie variation is at 16:47, but the best moment of the generally awesome second movement comes at 21:56. [Brendel's comment: "...perhaps nowhere else in piano literature does mystical experience feel so immediately close at hand."]

This is also a marvellous rendition by Pogorelich, who plays with absolutely clarity, with no indulgence and quite a lot of intensity (as in "focus", not "aggressive"). The tempo choice is especially good -- the music has space to breathe.

Movement I: 00:00
Movement II: 9:54 (Theme and Variations)

[matt]

When I heard this piece for the first time, I thought the “jazz” variation was added by the performer. Now I realise Beethoven actually composed it!

[nickroosh]

29:29 a simple, yet so beautiful C major chord. The point where everything started, now marks the finale of a titan's era.

[natatpongtouch]

If Beethoven had lived up to 100 years, he’d have composed 22nd century music.

[blubaibi]

Its amazing how Beethoven was able to come up with this "Jazz Feel" 100s of years before it became what it is... just simply marvelous!

[Moucheron]

Beethoven is without a doubt the keystone between the Classical and Romantic eras. This piece is many many years ahead of its time however.

[neilward]

For me this is the most sublime piece of music written by Beethoven or any other composer. It is like a mini summary of Beethoven's entire musical journey, from the depths of human despair, struggle against the odds, joyous celebration, glimpsing something beyond humanity, touching the divine, coming back down to humanity, finding peace and reconciliation with ones place in the universe, and giving thanks for life. It lasts a mere half hour and contains the most profound expressions of every emotion Beethoven ever captured. And it sends shivers down my spine and makes me cry (the joyful kind of tears, not the sentimental ones) everytime I hear it. The most sacred experience an atheist like myself can have. Still the best piece written for piano all these years later.

[drewguy]

These sonatas age well, like fine wine. When I first listened to them, they were good, now they are something else.

[ARIGROSSMAN]

Wow... Just when I thought I heard all of Beethoven something else comes up and continues to amaze me..

[martinmaguire-music]

The first time I listened to this I was exhausted from work, and I fell asleep halfway through, when I woke up it was over, and honest-to-god I thought I'd dreamt up that Second Movement haha... but it's real! It's real I tell you!

[nemo]

The first movement has a sort of sinister, sneaky sound...and I LOVE it.

[sinah]

Pogorelich did a great job
6:12 this part is extraordinary

[gaetanofanelli]

29:29 the final C chord expresses the end of all his life, it contain all the wonderful work he has done in his life

[LibertyStylez]

God, do I wish Beethoven lived just a few more years but God am I grateful for everything he was able to create in his short time here.

[PJGRAND]

Beethoven was the King of the piano Sonatas and it's very nice to see them with the Sheet Music Most know the Famous Moonlight Sonata but he also composed 31 other outstanding Piano Sonatas thanks for posting Beethoven was always a huge influence on me and a zillion others the Beautiful Melodies and advanced harmonies made Beethoven as famous as any Rock Star today in Europe during his lifetime and ever since Thanks So very much for posting these Gems PJ GRAND

[joshuaevett]

There have been some special people on this planet (Beethoven being one of them), and a lot of this sonata makes me shake my head at his sheer genius. The beginning is frenetic and pissed off, the ragtime comes out of nowhere, and the ending is beautiful, ethereal, and song like.

[NeonofMoravia]

amazing how Beethoven took leap from classical to boogie woogie and after that naturally landed in minimalism and impressionism

[dzunglong]

his 1st sonata starts with a C, and his last sonata ends with a C major chord, how beautiful

[alecrechtiene]

The second movement sound like you are staring into the depths of Beethoven’s soul. It is as if you are traveling to another dimension.

[michaelletellier]

One of the better recordings by Pogorelich. In comparison, listen to the many other pianists' interpretations available of this great work, but here Pogorelich stands out. Thank you for the upload.

[sebastientraglia]

The second movement is amazing under Pogolerich's hands. His eccentric touch is perfect for such a modern and extravagant composition.