Sonata for piano and violoncello (A major) op. 69

All in all Beethoven composed five sonatas for piano and cello (op. 5, nos. 1 and 2, op. 69 and op. 102, nos. 1 and 2) as well as three sets of variations for the same two instruments (op. 66, WoO 45 and WoO 46). The op. 69 sonata was written between winter 1807-08 and spring 1808, together with the Fifth Symphony, and completed in June 1808 when he had started work on the Sixth. In September 1808 he sold the sonata together with the two op. 70 piano trios to the publisher Härtel of Leipzig.

The Cello Sonata op. 69 is one of the masterpieces of its genre. The basic difficulty in this combination of instruments lies in their conflicting registers and timbre. The technical evolution of the piano made great strides in Beethoven's day, and its range and sound improved tremendously. The cello, in contrast, was neglected because of its low tessitura and its importance dwindled in comparison. In op. 69 Beethoven was able to reconcile and synchronise the two instruments, achieving the best possible balance and successfully adapting their registers. (J.R.)