Beethoven: The Final Sonatas, Op. 109, 110, 111

* Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op.109 * Few works make such a powerful impact in such a short space of time as the Sonata in E Major, Op.109. Each movement is like a haiku, beautifully formed, not wasting a word, yet making a very significant point. The first movement gives us perhaps the finest integration of Beethoven's formal and improvisatory styles, molded into a very tightly compressed, yet smooth sonata form. This results in an uncanny sensation of the utmost freedom superimposed on absolute order and organization - ** Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op.110 ** Op. 110 is the most accessible and the most popular of the late sonatas. Its unabashedly melodic opening tenderly sings out two consecutive full-fledged tunes, something almost unique among the Beethoven sonatas, which with rare exceptions start with ideas, motives or patterns, rather than singing melodies.