Piano Sonata no. 21 in C major 'Waldstein', Op. 53
The Piano Sonata no. 21, Op. 53, nicknamed Waldstein, is considered to be one of Beethoven's greatest piano sonatas. Completed in 1804, it has a scope that surpasses Beethoven's previous sonatas, and notably is one of his most technically challenging compositions. It is a key work early in his 'Heroic' decade (1803-1812) and set the stage for piano compositions in the grand manner both in Beethoven's later work and all future composers. The Waldstein receives its name from Beethoven's dedication to Count Ferdinand Ernst Gabriel von Waldstein of Vienna, a patron as well as a close personal friend of his. This sonata is also known as 'L'Aurora' (The Dawn) in Italian, for the sonority of the opening chords, which are said to conjure an image of daybreak.
