Gould/Beethoven Sonata No.18 in E-flat major, Op.31 No.3

"I am by no means satisfied with my works hitherto, and I intend to make a fresh start from today," said Beethoven, according to Carl Czerny's account, to his friend Wenzel Krumpholz. the violin-teacher. Czerny believes that the remark was made shortly before the appearance of Op.31; "in which," he says, "one can trace the partial fulfillment of his new resolution." It is to be believed that the scherzo and finale of the E flat major sonata mark the beginnings of the new phase. This new development is psychologically easy to understand. From the moment that Beethoven consciously set the poetic idea in the foreground, he had come to regard virtuosity merely as the necessary medium of a new type of musical expression. This sonata, Op.31, No.3, was composed in 1802 and it is Beethoven's most bright and cheerful piano sonata. It is notable that this sonata, with the exception of Op.106, is the last of the piano sonatas to contain four movements, and is the last one to include a formal minuet. Moreover, in all of the four movements not one of them goes at a slow pace. The absence of a slow movement helps to emphasize the light but deeply happy mood of the whole sonata.These four movements are Allegro, Scherzo, Minuet, and Presto. In conclusion, this sonata, Op. 31 No.3, shows a great deal sense of humor. So much stress has been laid on the near-divine quality of Beethoven that we tend to feel something almost sacrilegious in treating him as a human being. Yet he was the greater man for being able to laugh as well as weep. This sonata certainly represents his good sense of happiness and humor. A third party gave the piece the nickname "The Hunt" due to one of its themes' resemblance to a horn call. A playful jocularity is maintained throughout the piece, but as in many of Beethoven's early works, the jocular style can be heard as a façade, concealing profound ideas and depths of emotion. A critic wrote about the complete Op.31 album: "Here Gould displays a grace and a patience often lacking in his prior attempts at Beethoven's music." Another reviewer about Gould's individuality: "Gould was an individual performer, his purpose was different from musicians focused on being the hands of the composer to create "definitive" performances. I would rather have more Goulds today than "proper" piano players." Sonata No.18 in E-flat major, Op.31 No.3 I. Allegro 5'35" II. Scherzo. Allegretto vivace 3'29" III. Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso 4'21" IV. Presto con fuoco 3'44" Recorded in New York, March 1967 and Toronto, May 1973