Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-flat Major, Op. 26 (Funeral March)

Beethoven's twelfth Piano Sonata op. 26 is unusual in every respect: It opens with variations, followed by a short, energetic Scherzo which is in turn succeeded by the impressive “Funeral March on the Death of a Hero.” The person Beethoven had in mind when he wrote this remains a mystery. Norbert Gertsch, editor-in-chief at Henle Publishers, undertook a thorough revision of the edition, together with the renowned pianist Murray Perahia. In addition, the latter also provided fingerings and shares some of his personal thoughts on this work.