Description
The two piano sonatas, Op. 49, which were initially published as "Sonates faciles," are frequently the first Beethoven sonatas that advanced piano students use to showcase their skills. Despite their relatively high opus number, it is important to note that these two-movement compositions were created around the same period as the piano sonatas, Op. 10, between 1796 and 1798. The delay in their publication, which occurred seven years later, can likely be attributed to the publishing efforts of Beethoven's brother, Carl, who initially approached several publishers without success. Ultimately, in 1805, a Viennese publisher accepted the works, unaware of the significant value they held. These charming pieces, designed in a format that is easy to manage, quickly gained popularity. This Henle Urtext edition is part of our successful revised series of Beethoven's sonatas, overseen by Murray Perahia and Norbert Gertsch.
