The cycle is supported by

Russian Musical Union



National Fund of Copyright Holder’s Support

All of Beethoven’s Sonatas

Beethoven’s piano sonatas represent one of the most valuable parts of the heritage left to us by the genius composer. The extensive cycle of 32 sonatas covering the period of 1794 to 1822 is a genuine chronicle of the author's spiritual life.

As academician B.V. Asafyev has once rightfully noted, “Beethoven’s sonatas reflect an entire life of a human being. No emotional states seem to have escaped dynamic musical expression; no intimate conflicts got overlooked...”

For over two centuries, Beethoven's sonatas have probably been the most desired concert pieces. Almost every serious pianist has been striving to master the entire sonatas cycle.

It may be hard to believe but it is a confirmed fact that since Beethoven's death very few pianists have dared to perform the complete cycle of 32 sonatas at major international concert venues. Some of them include the renowned soviet pianists Maria Grinberg and Tatiana Nikolayeva, Hungarian pianist Annie Fischer, Austrian pianists Artur Schnabel, Alfred Brendel, Friedrich Gulda, Wilhelm Kempff and Rudolf Buchbinder, Chilean pianist Claudio Arrau, German pianist Wilhelm Backhaus, American pianist Daniel Barenboim and our compatriot Vladimir Ashkenazi.

Unfortunately, Walter Gieseking (Germany), Emil Gilels (USSR) and Rudolf Serkin (USA) left this world before they could finish recording the cycle.

The proposed cycle of seven concerts performed by St. Petersburg pianist Peter Laul is a true act of artistic courage demonstrated by the young performer. We have all reasons to believe that this event will not only set a new milestone in the history of the concert life of St. Petersburg, but will become one of the brightest concert events in Russia.