Every summer (if that is what we are calling this), I programme a small chamber music concert. A few days ago, I was asked by a friend if I might be able to put on a favourite non-vocal piece for two instruments. Music-lovers among you will instantly attest that this a completely impossible decision. I would struggle to pick my top ten from 200 works, let alone select a single piece. However, in the end, I settled on Beethoven’s Third Cello Sonata – Op 69 – because my friend had not heard it and because, for me, this piece has everything.
Indeed, the minute I returned to the sonata, I realised that if I had to push one chamber music piece as a gateway drug for the Beethoven-curious, then this would be it…