Beethoven composed five sonatas for cello and piano during various points of his career.
The first two cello sonatas were composed in 1795 for the King of Prussia, Friedrich Wilhelm II and published as a pair (Opus 5). They are the first cello sonatas that treat the cello as an instrument equal to the piano.
Cello Sonata 3 (Opus 69) was composed in 1809 and is Beethoven's best known of the five sonatas. Composed for amateur cellist, Baron Ignaz von Gleichenstein The work was premiered in Vienna the same year and was instantly successful.
The final two cello sonatas were composed in 1815 and published as a pair (Opus 102). The two works are an indication of the direction in which Beethoven's compositional style would evolve as his hearing continued to deteriorate. They are dedicated to Beethoven's friend Countess Marie von Erdody.
VIDEO WALKTHROUGHS
Cello Sonata 1 (Op 5 No 1)
Cello Sonata 2 (Op 5 No 2)
Cello Sonata 4 (Op 102 No 1)
Cello Sonata 5 (Op 102 No 2)
