By the time Beethoven composed this work, his output had declined substantially, perhaps owing to his deafness and disappointments in life. The only complete works to emerge from the period of 1820- 1823 were these last three piano sonatas. Even when compared to these imposing works, the "E major Piano Sonata" retains it's status of a masterpiece. With Gould, you'll get excellent interpretations of some of the lesser known works. Even when a movement runs off track, you sense the pianist's excitement and good humor. These are some of the cleanest and most musical performances of Beethoven's last three sonatas ever recorded.