Beethoven Sonatas: No.26 In E Flat Major, Op.81a 'Les Adieux' / No.32 In C Minor, Op.111 / No.19 In G Minor, Op.49, No.1

Released in 1967 on the His Master's Voice label, this recording features Daniel Barenboim performing three distinct Beethoven sonatas. The selection juxtaposes the emotional narrative of the 'Les Adieux' sonata with the profound complexity of the Opus 111, the final work in Beethoven's cycle. This record emerged during a period of intense focus for Barenboim, who was then establishing his reputation as a formidable interpreter of the core German piano repertoire, a trajectory that would eventually lead to his complete recorded cycles of these works.

The HQS series was designed by EMI to provide high-quality pressings of essential classical repertoire at a more accessible price point for the burgeoning home hi-fi market. Barenboim's interpretations in this era were noted for their youthful vigor and technical precision, traits that were captured with the clear, balanced engineering standard of the Abbey Road studio sessions of the late 1960s. The release received critical attention for its balance of structural integrity and lyrical expressiveness, marking a significant milestone in Barenboim's early discography.