Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111

• Date: 1821 -1822
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Period: Classical (1750-1819)

Review

Without doubt, this is one of the greatest piano sonatas ever written. While there are quite a few of Beethoven's own that are more popular, perhaps only one or two of them rival this one in sheer profundity. This sonata's stormy first movement and its ensuing lengthy Arietta, which makes up the theme and variations second panel, take the listener into soundworlds previously unexplored by other composers, making this work one of the most influential musical creations ever. Not only did it help shape the course of piano music, it influenced the orchestral compositions of Franck, Wagner, Mahler, and many others. Prokofiev modeled the structure of his Symphony No. 2 directly on the sonata -- an Allegro followed by a long theme-and-variations second movement. The sonata begins with a grim introduction (Maestoso), typical of the composer's serious style, because it starts the narrative with a question, or dilemma, with dark, emphatic chords followed by trills, which introduce an added element of uncertainty. One might wonder whether the remainder of the movement will search out some answer to the apparent question, as in the "Pathétique," but that does not happen. It seems that a lack of a resolution reflects the composer's realization that vicissitudes of life may inspire questions which cannot be answered. The main body of the first movement, marked Allegro con brio ed appassionato, begins in a sinister vein on the bass notes with the appearance of the main theme, itself a dark, hesitant creation. After it is presented in full, the tempo slows, ushering in another idea. Tranquil and reassuring, this new idea is short-lived, and the main theme returns. After the narrative is repeated, with some alterations, the development section begins. Here, in the midst of much brilliant contrapuntal writing, the mood darkens, and an element of dramatic tension is introduced as the main theme goes through several transformations. When the alternate theme appears after a climactic episode, the atmosphere changes from somber to mysterious. There is no reprise as such, since the main material is not repeated, but rather is reviewed in partial form before reaching a final climax, after which the music fades slowly.

The second movement (Adagio molto semplice e cantabile) opens with one of the composer's most serene creations in any genre. The theme sounds peaceful and angelic, but almost static, too, in its glacial pacing. It strikes one as not the kind of melody that might yield variations of sundry character. This theme and the first three variations form the first section of the movement, wherein the atmosphere and character of the music change from the sublime to the almost giddily joyous and back to the sublime. It is the fourth variation that marks the second half of the movement, the most profound music in this work. After a series of trills, this section begins with the variation slowly emerging from a haze and transporting the listener to the highest levels of musical experience. Some view this long closing section as a "farewell" by the composer. Indeed, Beethoven seems to fashion a musical language transcending terrestrial constraints, and the notes appear to be ascending into the heavens as the ending approaches. ~ All Music Guide

Albums with Complete Performances of the Work

Title	Date
A Beethoven Trilogy	2004
A. Shtarkman: Busoni Competition 1995	1996
Alexei Volodin plays Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev	2006
Alfred Brendel 2	1999
Alfred Brendel Plays Beethoven	2006
Alfred Brendel plays Beethoven Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1	1991
Alfred Brendel: The Complete Vox, Turnabout and Vanguard Solo Recordings [Box Set]
Alfredo Perl Plays Ludwig van Beethoven (Box Set)	1996
Annie Fischer	1996
Arthur Schnabel plays Beethoven [Box Set]
Artur Schnabel	1998
Artur Schnabel - Scholar of the Piano [Box Set]	2009
Artur Schnabel Plays Beethoven
Artur Schnabel Plays Beethoven's Late Piano Sonatas
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli [Box Set]
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli plays Beethoven & Chopin	1999
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli plays Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt	1998
Bach: Ricercare; Schostakowitsch: 4 Präludien und Fuguen; Beethoven: Sonate c-Moll	2003
Barenboim on Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol 4 [DVD Video]	2006
Beethoven
Beethoven I	1994
Beethoven Piano Music	2003
Beethoven Sonates Op. 111 Et Op.2 No.3	1986
Beethoven The Three Last Piano Sonatas	1992
Beethoven par Gieseking	2000
Beethoven: 5 Klavierkonzerte
Beethoven: 5 Piano Sonatas	2004
Beethoven: A Journey [Box Set]	2005
Beethoven: Bagatelles, Op. 126; Sonata Nos. 31 & 32	2001
Beethoven: Complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas, Vol. 9	1994
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas (Box Set)	2001
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas (CD-ROM)	2004
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas - Vol.IV
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas [Box Set]
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas [Box Set]	2001
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas [Box Set]
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas [Box Set]	1996
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas, Vol. 4	2001
Beethoven: Complete Works [Box Set]	2007
Beethoven: Complete Works [Box Set]	2007
Beethoven: Complete Works, Vol. 28	2007
Beethoven: Die Klaviersonaten [Box Set]	1995
Beethoven: Die Späten Klaviersonaten
Beethoven: Favourite Piano Sonatas	2008
Beethoven: Final Sonatas
Beethoven: His Last Works for Piano	1999
Beethoven: Klaviersonate Opp. 53 & 111	2007
Beethoven: Klaviersonaten [Box Set]
Beethoven: Klaviersonaten, Op. 2/2, 27/2, 110, 111	2002
Beethoven: Klaviersonaten, Opp. 53 & 111	1993
Beethoven: Late Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: Les 32 Sonates pour piano [Box Set]
Beethoven: Masterpieces for Solo Piano	2003
Beethoven: Masterpieces for Solo Piano - 8 Sonatas [Exclusive Free Sampler Included]	2003
Beethoven: Op. 111, 3 Versions	1998
Beethoven: Op. 111, 3 Versions	1998
Beethoven: Op. 111, 3 Versions	1998
Beethoven: Opus 109, 110, 111
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4; Piano Sonatas Nos. 18 & 32
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5; Piano Sonata, Op. 111
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5; Variations (32) in C minor; Schubert: Piano Sonata in C minor	2001
Beethoven: Piano Concerto in Ef No5, Op73; Piano Concerto in G No4, Op58
Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5; Sonata, Op. 111	1994
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30; Sonata No. 31; Sonata No. 32	1956
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 32, Op. 111; Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 66	2001
Beethoven: Piano Sonata Nos. 30 & 32/Schubert: Piano Sonata In D
Beethoven: Piano Sonata Op. 57 / Op. 111	1987
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas	1965
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas	1994
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas	1999
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas	2000
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas	1999
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas	1995
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas	2001
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas "Moonlight," "Les Adieux," "Pathétique"	1995
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas (Complete) [Box Set]
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas (Complete), Vol. 2 (Box Set)	1989
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 1, 3, & 32	2000
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 1-32 [Box Set]	1992
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 26-32; Andante Favoriy8hiun
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 29, 30, and 32	1992
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas No. 29 "Hammerklavier", 30-32; Bagatelles, Op. 126	2003
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 16-32
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 19, 15 'Pastoral', 30, 32
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 20, 9, 10, 32
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 21 'Waldstein', 22, 23 'Appassionata', 24, 25, 27 & 30-32	2004
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 21, 27, 32	1990
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 21, 27, 32
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 28, 30 & 32
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 28-32
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 28-32
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 28-32
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 28-32
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 29 "Hammerklavier" & 32, Op. 111	2005
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 29 & 32	2001
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 30, 31 & 32
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 30, 31, 32
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 30, 31, 32	2006
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 31 & 32, Opp. 110 & 111	2007
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 6, 21, 25, 32	1988
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 109; Op. 110; Op. 111
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 111 & Op. 10 No. 1
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 31/1, Op. 101 & Op. 111	2007
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Opp 109, 110, 111
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Opp. 109, 110 & 11	2006
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Opp. 109, 110, 111	2000
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Opp. 109-111
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Opp. 90, 101, 106, 109, 110 & 111	1993
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Opp. 90,101 & 111	1992
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas [Box Set]	1984
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas [Box Set]	1989
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas in B flat & in C minor	1994
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Opp. 109, 110, 111	1992
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Opp.109, 110, 111	1996
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1	1996
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1	2008
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2	2006
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2 (Nos. 15-18, 23, 30-32)	1994
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 3
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 4	1988
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 4
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 6	1998
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 6	1991
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 9	1996
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 9	1989
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 9	2006
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol.5	1998
Beethoven: Premium Edition, Vol. 19	2007
Beethoven: Sonata Nos.30-32
Beethoven: Sonata Op.111; Schmann: Fantasy Op.17	2005
Beethoven: Sonatas & Bagatelles	1994
Beethoven: Sonatas Nos. 30-32
Beethoven: Sonatas Nos. 30-32 [Limited Edition]
Beethoven: Sonatas Opp. 57 "Appassionata", 14/1, 111	2008
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No14; Mozart: Sonatas for piano No11
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No14; Mozart: Sonatas for piano No11
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Gulda: Wintermeditation
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Schumann: Symphonic Etudes Op13
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Sonatas for piano No21	1994
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Sonatas for piano No24	1999
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Sonatas for piano No3
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Sonatas for piano No3
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Sonatas for piano No30
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Sonatas for piano No31
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Sonatas for piano No31
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Sonatas for piano No31
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Sonatas for piano No31
Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Sonatas for piano No5	1998
Beethoven: Sonate per pianoforte N. 6 Op. 10/2, N. 25 Op. 79, N. 32 Op. 111, N. 21 Op. 53
Beethoven: Sonate; Brahms: 6 Klavierstücke; Chopin: Berceuse	2007
Beethoven: The 32 Piano Sonatas [Box Set]	2003
Beethoven: The 32 Piano Sonatas; Variations [Box Set]	1991
Beethoven: The Collector's Edition [Box Set]	2007
Beethoven: The Complete 32 Piano Sonatas [Box Set]
Beethoven: The Complete Masterworks [Box Set]	1999
Beethoven: The Complete Masterworks, Vol. 19
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas & Concertos [Box Set]	1998
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas & Diabelli Variations [Box Set]
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas (Box Set)	1994
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas (Box Set)	1998
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas (Box Set)	2000
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas Vol. 9
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas [Box Set]	1998
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas, Nos. 1-32
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas; Bagatelles Op. 119, Op. 126 [Box Set]	2003
Beethoven: The Complete Sonatas [Box Set]	1993
Beethoven: The Complete Sonatas, Vol. 3 - Sonatas 23-32	2004
Beethoven: The Final Sonatas, Op. 109, 110, 111
Beethoven: The Great Piano Sonatas	2003
Beethoven: The Last 3 Piano Sonatas, Nos. 30-32	2002
Beethoven: The Last 5 Piano Sonatas	1996
Beethoven: The Last Six Piano Sonatas	2007
Beethoven: The Last Sonatas, Op. 109-111	1993
Beethoven: The Last Three Piano Sonatas	1997
Beethoven: The Last Three Piano Sonatas	2002
Beethoven: The Last Three Sonatas	1995
Beethoven: The Last Three Sonatas	2001
Beethoven: The Last Three Sonatas	1998
Beethoven: The Late Piano Sonatas	1994
Beethoven: The Late Piano Sonatas	1993
Beethoven: The Late Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: The Late Piano Sonatas, Nos. 28-32	1986
Beethoven: The Late Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2	1992
Beethoven: The Late Sonatas	1988
Beethoven: The Masterworks (Box Set)
Beethoven: The Piano Concertos; Choral Fantasy; Diabelli Variations	2007
Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas [Box Set]
Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas [Box Set]	1995
Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas [Box Set]	1990
Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas [Box Set]	2008
Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Op.109-111	1993
Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Vol. 10	1992
Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Vol. 10: Nos. 30, 31 & 32
Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Vol. 8	2008
Beethoven? Beethoven!
Benedetti Michelangeli plays Beethoven	1999
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 83; Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 32, Op. 111	2006
Broadcast Recitals, 1949-1951
Carol Rosenberger Plays Beethoven	1989
Casals Festivals at Prades, Vol. 2 [Box Set]	2006
Caswell Collection, Vol. 3: Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler	2000
Clara Haskil at the Ludwigsburg Festival
Clara Haskil in Ludwigsburg	1988
Claudio Arrau in Concert, Vol. 3	2004
Complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2	1994
Complete Piano Sonatas	1989
Conrad Hansen Plays Beethoven and Brahms
Decca Beethoven Recordings, 1950-1958 [Box Set]	2005
Dino Ciani Rediscovered: Beethoven's Complete Sonatas [Box Set]	2003
Dino Ciani in Concert
Edwin Fischer plays Beethoven Piano Sonatas
Egon Petri in Recital
Egon Petri: His Recordings 1929-1942, Vol. 2	1993
Elly Ney Plays Beethoven	1995
Ernst Levy Plays Beethoven, Liszt & Levy
Frederic Lamond
From Bach to Bartók	2006
Gabriel Chodos, Piano	2002
Gieseking Broadcast Recitals, 1949 - 51
Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition (Box 1) (Box Set)	1999
Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition (Box 1) (Box Set)	1999
Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition (Box 2) (Box Set)	1999
Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition (Box 2) (Box Set)	1999
Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition (Box 2) (Box Set)	1999
Hommage à Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (Box Set)	2000
Hommage à Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (Box Set)	2000
Hommage, Vol. 15	2000
Hommage, Vol. 5	2000
Itzhak Solsky Plays Piano	2005
Kempff Plays Beethoven, Vol. 1	2002
Les chefs d'Oeuvre de Beethoven [Box Set]	2006
Ludwig van Beethoven Premium Edition [Box Set]	2007
Maurizio Pollini Edition (Box Set)	2001
Michelangeli: Portrait of a Legend	2007
Mieczyslaw Horszowsky plays Beethoven Sonata Op. 109, Sonata Op. 110, Sonata Op. 111	1991
Mirror Cannon [Hybrid SACD]	2008
Mozart: Fantasias for Piano, KV 396 & 475; Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 14, 23, 32
Perspectives 1	2004
Petrouchka and other Prophecies	1998
Piano Master: Solomon
Piano Recital	2005
Pletnev Live at Carnegie Hall
Portrait: Elly Ney plays Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Strauss	2006
Richard Raymond	1994
Richter Plays Beethoven	1998
Richter in Leipzig	2007
Richter the Master, Vol. 1: Beethoven	2007
Richter: The Authorized Recordings (Box Set)	1994
Richters playes Beethoven Sonatas, Vol.I
Ronald Smith plays Beethoven	2000
Sachiko Kato, Piano	2000
Scarlatti: 3 Keyboard Sonatas; Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 32; etc.
Schnabel plays Beethoven, 5
Schnabel: Maestro Espressivo (Box Set)	2001
Schnabel: Maestro Espressivo, Disc 5	2001
Schubert: Piano Sonatas Nos. 13 & 14; Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 3	2002
Sofronitsky, Vol.7
Stephen Hough in recital	2009
Stephen Kovacevich 1	1998
Stephen Kovacevich Plays Beethoven	2004
Sviatoslav Richter 2	1998
Sviatoslav Richter Concert Performances And Broadcasts, 1958-1976
Sviatoslav Richter In Concert [Box Set]
Sviatoslav Richter in Leipzig 1963	1998
The Art Of Egon Petri-Concert Performances And Broadcasts, 1954-1962
The Art of Dan Grigore	1997
The Art of Guiomar Novaes Beethoven Sonatas	1994
The Art of Piano	1999
The Artist's Collection: Alfred Brendel [Box Set]	2008
The Berlin Concert	2008
The Celebrated New York Concerts, Vol. 2	2007
The Complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas (Box Set)	1998
The Glenn Gould Legacy, Vol. 2	1985
The Incomparable Rudolf Serkin	2003
The Late Piano Sonatas
The Legacy of Maria Yudina, Vol. 8	2005
The Legendary Hungerford	1998
The Piano Collection [Box Set]
The Piano Collection, CD 14
The Seven Wonders (Box Set)
Tibor Szász: Beethoven Piano Sonatas	1987
Transcendent Colors	2009
University of North Texas College of Music features Vladimir Viardo
Vladimir Feltsman Performs Beethoven	1993
Wilhelm Backhaus	1998
Wilhelm Backhaus Performs Beethoven & Mozart
Wilhelm Backhaus Plays Beethoven, Mozart and Bach	2000
Works For Piano	1997
Yves Nat: Ses Enregistrements, 1930-1956 [Coffret du 50ème Anniversaire] [Box Set]	2006

Albums with Excerpt Performances of the Work

Title	Date
Appassionata	2003
Autumn Glory
Beethoven: Op. 111, 3 Versions	1998
Copying Beethoven [Music from the Motion Picture]	2006
Gramophone Editor's Choice, June 2008	2008
In the Wee Hours: Music to Wind Down To	1998
The Art of Pollini	2001
The Life and Works of Ludwig van Beethoven	2001
Van Cliburn Competition 1973	1998