3 Piano Sonatas WoO 47 — Henle Music Folios

Called “Kurfürstensonaten” (Prince-Elector sonatas), these three sonatas were published in fall 1783. In the dedication – which was most certainly not formulated by Beethoven – one reads: “Most lofty sir ... I have now reached my eleventh year” (whereby the composer has been made two years younger), “and since then my Muse has whispered to me often during the hours of devotion: Be bold and lay down the harmonies of your soul! ... May I now, exalted Prince, dare to lay the first of my juvenile outpourings at the steps of your throne?” In fact, the three sonatas have a special place among Beethoven's earliest compositions, already exude his spirit, and can be used to acquaint the budding pianist with this composer.