Andreas Haefliger’s performance of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 – or “Appassionata” as it is known colloquially, is a stellar record in every regard. Composed in first few years of the 19th century, a period which yielded some of the greatest works for grand piano the world has known, this Sonata is a personal favorite of mine that I am delighted to share now that I found it online. What, you thought I only listened to 20th and 21st century music? Pull emergency cord, get clue! Chuckle. Enjoy. This music is quite heavenly, and Haefliger renders it beautifully and effortlessly.

Andreas Haefliger
“Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 – “Appassionata”" (mp3)
from “Perspectives 3″
(AVIE Records)

Need more!

I found this interesting note on the piece, in wikipedia:

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, writer-director of the 2006 film The Lives of Others, has said that his movie was inspired by the anecdote that Lenin loved the “Appassionata” but refused to listen to it because it deterred him from the Communist revolution. (The film tells the story of a Stasi agent who has a moral awakening when coming into contact with music and art.) The characters in the movie even discuss the Appassionata/Lenin story.