大象传媒

Sarah Walker surveys the available recordings of Beethoven's Piano Sonata in C minor, Op.13 (Path茅tique) to make a recommendation.

Written in the late 1700s when Beethoven was 27, the 'Path茅tique' sonata has remained one of his most celebrated works. It's thought the nickname was bestowed by Beethoven's publisher who was impressed with the sonata's haunting and heartrending sonorities.

Top recommendation:

Beethoven: Popular Piano Sonatas
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op. 13 'Pathetique'; Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor Op. 27 No. 2 鈥楳oonlight'; Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major Op. 53 'Waldstein'; Piano Sonata No. 26 in E flat major Op. 81a 'Les Adieux'; Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor Op. 57 'Appassionata'; Piano Sonata No. 25 in G major Op. 79; Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major Op. 106 'Hammerklavier'
Stephen Kovacevich (piano)
WARNER CLASSICS 6230812 (2CD)

Other recordings:

Below is a shortlist of other recordings which Sarah Walker also liked, although we can鈥檛 guarantee the availability of these discs.

Beethoven - Piano Concertos & Sonatas
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major Op. 15; Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major Op. 19; Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor Op. 27 No. 2 鈥楳oonlight'; Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor Op. 37; Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op. 13 'Pathetique'; Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor Op. 31 No. 2 'Tempest'; Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major Op. 58; Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major Op. 73 'Emperor'
Steven Lubin (fortepiano), The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood (conductor)
DECCA E4757297 (3CD budget)

Beethoven - Piano Sonatas Volume 2
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major Op. 28 'Pastorale'; Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op. 13 'Pathetique'; Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major Op. 2 No. 3
Angela Hewitt (piano)
HYPERION CDA67605 (CD)

Beethoven - Piano Sonatas Nos. 8 - 11
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op. 13 'Pathetique'; Piano Sonata No. 9 in E major Op. 14 No. 1; Piano Sonata No. 10 in G major Op. 14 No. 2; Piano Sonata No. 11 in B flat major Op. 22
Alfred Brendel (piano)
PHILIPS E4427742 (CD mid-price)

Beethoven: Richter Volume 1 - Vinyl Edition
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op. 13 'Pathetique'; Bagatelle in F Op. 33 No. 3; Bagatelle in C Major Op. 33, No. 5; Bagatelles (11) Op. 119: No. 2 in C major; Bagatelles (11) Op. 119: No. 7 in C major; Bagatelles (11) Op. 119: No. 9 in A minor; Bagatelles (6) Op. 126: No. 1; Bagatelles (6) Op. 126: No. 4; Bagatelles (6) Op. 126: No. 6 in E flat major
Sviatoslav Richter (piano)
MELODIYA MELLP0055 (Vinyl)
ALSO AVAILABLE AS BMG 74321 29462-2

Beethoven - Piano Sonatas Volume 2
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op. 13 'Pathetique'; Piano Sonata No. 10 in G major Op. 14 No. 2; Piano Sonata No. 9 in E major Op. 14 No. 1; Piano Sonata No. 11 in B flat major Op. 22; Piano Sonata No. 24 in F sharp major Op. 78; Piano Sonata No. 25 in G major Op. 79; Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major Op. 101; Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major Op. 106 'Hammerklavier'; Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major Op. 53 'Waldstein'; Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor Op. 90
Paul Lewis (piano)
HARMONIA MUNDI HMC901903/05

Beethoven - Complete Piano Sonatas
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1-32 (Complete)
Daniel Barenboim (piano)
DG 4631272 (9CD budget)

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