L. W. Beethoven - Piano sonata n. 23, op. 57 - Allegro ma non troppo - Presto (1804 - 1806)
 
The Appassionata is one of the greatest, darkest, and most powerful examples of Beethoven’s musical genius applied to the piano. Composed between 1804 and 1806 during in his so-called Heroic period, it has long been Beethoven’s own favorite sonata until he composed the monumental Hammerklavier 13 years later. After the lyrical beauty of the first movement and the introspective intensity of the second, the third movement is a tour de force of fiery passion and virtuosic brilliance. Over the near-perpetual motion of sixteenth notes that define the dramatic set of the movement, Beethoven explores the timbrical possibilities of the piano with a melody of repeated notes that sound like trumpet blasts in a battle. The tension keeps growing to the final Presto, until it crashes all its power on the 3 final chords.