On the second volume in his complete cycle of all 32 sonatas, Jonathan Biss has chosen the early but large-scale ‘Grand Sonata’ op.7 from 1796, a work exceeded in length only by the ‘Hammerklavier’ sonata, and the most famous of all the sonatas – the ‘Moonlight’, along with the Fantasy and op.78.

Spanning the years 1795 to 1822, the piano sonatas contain some of Beethoven’s most profound musical utterances. Beethoven’s subtle transformation of the piano sonata form is extraordinary, from the classical style of the early sonatas to the freer multi-movement structures of the visionary late works.

The rare Fantasy op.77 gives an insight to Beethoven’s improvisatory style, in which he was without equal. Moscheles and Czerny both said that this work reminded them of Beethoven’s famous improvisations. It dates from 1808, the same year as the delightful and compact op.78 sonata.