Drei Frühe Klaviersonaten (Es-dur / F-moll / D-dur) WoO 47 / Zwei Klaviersonatinen (G-dur / F-dur)

Released by the East German state-owned record label ETERNA in 1970, this pressing features the early piano works of Ludwig van Beethoven, specifically the 'Kurfürstensonaten' (WoO 47) and two sonatinas. These compositions, dedicated to the Elector Maximilian Frederick of Cologne, date back to Beethoven’s youth in Bonn and reflect the transition from the style of his predecessors to his own emerging voice. The choice to record these often-overlooked pieces highlights a broader pedagogical and musicological interest in the evolution of the sonata form.

The recording features the East German pianist Klaus Bäßler, who was a respected pedagogue and performer frequently associated with the label's mission to preserve the classical canon. Bäßler’s interpretation is marked by a clear, disciplined approach characteristic of the mid-century Eastern Bloc school of performance, prioritizing structural integrity and technical precision over romantic excess. As part of the ETERNA catalog, the release reflects the label's commitment to high-quality, intellectually rigorous classical recordings that were accessible to the public during the socialist era.