You know, I applaud this approach in the other thread, where it is entirely appropriate. In this one I find it unnecessarily supercilious --- I am here to learn and discover, not to showcase my alleged, yet inexistent, knowledge or moral superiority.
The fun thing is, that on f.i. Pollini's twofer of so-called 'Favourite' ones, op. 79 in G Major was also included.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beethoven-Favourite-Pathtique-Moonlight-Appassionata/dp/B0052ZA7RO/?tag=goodmusicguidecoJust a small sonata without pretentions, but damn (oops, did I just write that?), do I like it very very much! The slow movement is short, but breathtakingly beautiful.
Here is a clip of op. 79 with Barenboim live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgPIARFhMfASo, in a way, Todd has a point: all 32 sonatas 'mit opuszahl' are great. Of course, op. 49 is a still young 18th century Beethoven, and, personally, I'm not really fond op op. 31/1, with the exception though of the Rondo Finale. But that's probably my fault, because apparently I don't get Beethoven's sense of humour. All three of op. 31 are still well worth exploring, because it represents the 'complete' Beethoven of that time (early 19th century): the transition from 'early' to 'middle period' Beethoven. 'Der Sturm' (The Tempest) op. 31/2, is one of those so-called great ones, but op. 31/3 is awesome, too.
I recall 'exploring' the sonatas piece by piece, and in the end I had to conclude, with Todd, that they're all great. Some are greater than others, but hey... nothing wrong with that.
