The Hammerklavier Sonata, written in 1818, was one of two Sonatas that Beethoven titled “Große Sonate für das Hammerklavier” to indicate that these works were for piano (“hammerklavier” in German), not harpsichord. It was this one, Op. 106, which kept the nickname.
It was written at a particularly trying time in Beethoven’s life. For several years, his musical output had somewhat floundered: his last Symphony, No. 8, was 6 years old, his last piano sonata, 2 years past. His deafness had finally reached a point where Beethoven had to commit to using conversation books exclusively, a kind of final blow to the fact that there would be no turning back.
On the other hand, Beethoven had just received an invitation from the Royal Philharmonic Society to come to London along with a commission-offer for two new symphonies. Although the visit never happened, and the commission was eventually postponed, Beethoven did sketch out the extraordinary Scherzo and part of the first movement to what would become his Ninth Symphony.
But instead of devoting himself solely to these possible symphonic commissions, he began composing his Hammerklavier Sonata instead.
Yes… an amazing masterpiece emerged, and here is pianist Yuja Wang who will play it for you:
