Pianists - what are your favorite Beethoven piano sonatas?

Well I am mainly a pianist and I have played quite a few of Beethoven's sonatas so I would just like to find out which ones other people think are the best. Here are my top few:

1. No. 23 in F minor ("Appasionata")

Great brooding atmosphere as well as virtuosity. The first movement has quite a few different themes and and changes in intensity. I particularly like the major theme which first appears in A flat. The second movement has some great typical Beethoven harmony. Gradually builds pace, but the melody is still very sweet. The 3rd movement is my least favourite. I enjoy the start, but the ending is pessimistic to the max and at times sounds like DEATH ITSELF. Oh well, still my favourite.

2. No.9 in E flat major

Yes, I know this might be a left-field choice but I really love the string quartet feel (the sonata was actually arranged as a string quartet at one stage too). Really love Beethoven's harmonies in the first two movements. Can't say much for the final movement though (Rondo).

3. No. 21 in C major ("Waldstein")

This one is particularly difficult to play (I never mastered it). But love nearly all of it. The long trills in the final movement are a scallop.

4?. I like a lot of the "Pathetique" (No. 8 in C minor)

The opening is a bit too dramatic for my liking but the rest of it is great. Especially the Adagio melody in the 2nd movement. If only I hadn't heard my parents playing the Billy Joel adaption at high volumes when I was a kid!

Least favourite: The "Moonlight" sonata.... have simply heard the 1st movement being played badly too many times to like it anymore. Although the final presto movement is ok.

I don't particularly like the very first ones... Although I've played the 5th and the 6th...

Pathetique is nice, Waldstein as well, Moonlight I like, Tempest yes. All the well known ones. And I love the last No. 32! AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

Mmmm.... the D major one(Sometimes called "The Pastorale"[loving stupid name]) is very tasty if you play it slow enough.

I really shouldn't answer this until I've properly listened to the last sonatas (which, no, I haven't), but...

Waldstein.

Appassionata and Hammerklavier. And Les Adieux.

Listing only the ones with nicknames makes you feel like such a square, but really, there's a reason for it being them. Well, yeah.

To be honest I'm not a great fan of the Path

I like No. 32 the best. I think it was his highest piano solo achievement coupled with the last bagatelles. No. 30 in E major is very beautiful too. The Hammerklavier is fantastic too. The late sonatas are, in my opinion, the best. I think Beethoven was still finding his voice in the early ones - they're good but I'm not big on classical period music so... I also like the les Adieux sonata in Eb Major, No. 27 in e minor and no. 17 in D minor.

I like all of the common standards, ie: Moonlight, Pathetique, Waldstein, Appassionata, etc...but my absolute favorite is No. 32. The Arietta is so beautiful...and fitting as the final movement of such a monumental collection.

I've played "Moonlight", which is op.27, no.2, but I like op.27 no.1 a little better. It doesn't have a nickname, but it is the same opus. I don't know why I like it, but I just do. As far as "Moonlight" goes, I like the second movement the best. It's funny that hardly anybody ever recogises it. I've played the "Path

Surprised how a couple of people have suggested no. 32 - I am not really familiar with it (I don't have the sheet music). Anyhow, I downloaded the midi file for it. It sounds very "brilliant" and technically challenging, but I'm not sure whether the midi files give a great idea of how it is meant to sound. Will have to listen to it more.

@Tumbaba - yes, I also forgot to mention the "Pastorale" - the first movement is also one of my favourites.

@MusicManJ4 regarding your recording of Pathetique 3rd movement:

Pretty good effort, especially in keeping the temp constant (this is something I had trouble with according to my teacher). I think the recording sounded a bit muffled or something, but I think you need to let the melody "sing" a bit more if possible. Also I think in most "professional" performances I've heard the 3rd movement is a bit more legato. It sounded to me like you were playing a bit too much stacatto at times and were tentative with your touch.

I like all of them.

They're all highly individual creations.. I particularly like the really odd ones, like the one with the ''motive'' rondo. (can't remember if it was no 7, 9, or another one) It's basically beethoven at his most ''crude'', but that's what i've always liked in Beethoven.. My ear likes the accessible ''mathematical'' nature of it, it's always a welcome change from the music I usually dig (barbarism, norwegian impressionism and the like)

The slow movement of no. 32 is basically the most beautiful piece of music ever written, though...and I probably don't even need to mention the ''awesomeness'' of the jazzy variation in said piece!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The rondo of no. 4 is really cute, too.

I think I'm one of the weirdos who holds the F# major (Fur Therese) near the top.

I also love #32 and #31 and the hammerklavier.

I also find #1 very moving... minor seconds always get me.. and of course enjoy the big name ones.

I think I'm one of the weirdos who holds the F# major (Fur Therese) near the top.

I also love #32 and #31 and the hammerklavier.

I also find #1 very moving... minor seconds always get me.. and of course enjoy the big name ones.

I forgot to mention A Therese, that one is fantastic too. They're really all good

Sonata #10 in G Major, Op. 14 #2, 1st Movement.

Moonlight Sonata

I'm a pianist. I don't know which one to choose. Pardon me.

Sonata #10 in G Major, Op. 14 #2, 1st Movement.

Ahh, so I'm not the only one who absolutely loves this sonata! I agree, the first movement is great. I really love the third movement too though, in all its quirkiness. One of my absolute favourites of Beethoven's Scherzi.

No 16 (the other quirky jazzy G major) , 32 and the Appassionata