Engraver's models for "unusual" and "strange" sonatas
These two sonatas definitely belong to the most unusual and strange works, not just in this form but in general, that have been written for the pianoforte for a long time. Everything about them is different to anything else we have heard, even by this master himself: may he not take it amiss if we add: not a little seems, as it stands here and as it is ordered, to be made to appear quite unusual and quite strange."
The critic in the Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung of 1818 was obviously very surprised, probably even overtaxed by the two Cello Sonatas op. 102. Too accustomed to light, pleasing and brilliant works, the critic was not able to cope with the two sonatas, as the rest of the review shows. At least at the end, he praises the "cultured publisher" for the practical edition, which "greatly relieves the understanding". The publisher was Nikolaus Simrock in Bonn, who had published quite a few of Beethoven's works. The corrected copies shown here are the two engraver's models for the original edition of op. 102. In both copies preparations for printing can clearly be seen: crosses and entries with which the engraver determines the layout of the pages for the printed edition. (J.R.)
