BEETHOVEN'S PIANOFORTE SONATAS
Played by DOROTHY MOGGRIDGE Sonata, No. 2, in A 1. Allegro vivace ; 2. Largo appassionato; 3. Scherzo ; 4. Rondo
ABOUT this time, I heard from some fellow-students that there was a composer recently come to the fore in Vienna who wrote the most curious stuff in the world-a baroque type of music, contrary to all rules, which no one could play and no one could understand; the composer's name was Beethoven. To satisfy my curiosity as to this eccentric genius, I betook myself to the lending library and procured a copy of Beethoven's Sonata Pathétique. I had not enough money to buyi the work, but I secretly copied it out. I found the novel style so attrnrtivo, and my admiration was so enthusiastic, that I so far forgot myself as to mention my new discovery to my teacher. He therefore reminded me of his precepts, and warned me not to play or study eccentric productions until my style was formed on more reliable examples. I disregarded this advice, and acquired Beethoven's works one by one as they appeared, finding in them such consolation and delight as no other composer was able to give me.'
(Ignaz Moscheles ).