Die Späten Klaviersonaten = The Late Piano Sonatas = Les Dernières Sonates Pour Piano = Le Ultime Sonate Per Pianoforte

Released in 1978 on the Deutsche Grammophon label, this box set features Maurizio Pollini performing Ludwig van Beethoven's final piano sonatas, specifically numbers 28 through 32. Recorded in the mid-1970s, the collection represents a significant milestone in Pollini’s discography, marking his first major traversal of these dense, introspective late-period works. At the time of its release, the set was highly anticipated as a testament to Pollini's technical precision and his maturing interpretative approach to the German Romantic repertoire.

The production design reflects Deutsche Grammophon’s classic house style of the era, emphasizing clarity and the prestige of the 'Yellow Label' branding. The accompanying documentation and liner notes were crafted to provide context for the complex musical evolution displayed in Beethoven's late compositions. Upon its debut, the collection received widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers frequently noting Pollini's intellectual rigor and his ability to balance the emotional weight of the scores with an immaculate, crystalline piano tone.