Piano Sonata No. 3 (Beethoven)
Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2, No. 3, is a sonata written for solo piano, composed in 1795. It is dedicated to Joseph Haydn and is often referred to as Beethoven's first virtuosic piano sonata. The three Op. 2 sonatas all contain four movements each, an unusual length which seems to show that Beethoven was aspiring towards composing a symphony. It is both the weightiest and longest of the three Op. 2 sonatas, lasting over 25 minutes, presenting many difficulties, including difficult trills, awkward hand movements, and forearm rotation. It is Beethoven's second longest piano sonata in his early period, only to Beethoven's Grand Sonata in E Major, Op. 7, published a year later.
Piano Sonata No. 27 (Beethoven)
Beethoven's previous piano sonata, popularly known as "Les Adieux", was composed almost five years prior to Op. 90. Beethoven's autograph survives and is dated 16 August. The sonata was published almost a year later, in June 1815, by S. A. Steiner, after a few corrections were made by Beethoven. Beethoven's letter to Prince Moritz von Lichnowsky, sent in September 1814, explains Beethoven's dedication: