It is hard to believe that this highly lyrical and moderately difficult sonata in the unusual key of F-sharp major was preceded by the supremely dramatic “Appassionata Sonata” in F minor op. 57 (BA 10852). Beethoven dedicated the sonata op. 78 to his pupil Therese von Brunsvick, occasionally said by Beethoven scholars to be his “immortal beloved”. It is also to her that the sonata owes its nickname “À Thérèse”. Beethoven himself highly valued the work which he felt turned out “better” than his m...