Sterling Newberry on Beethoven listening:

>For wit - why not the 33 variations on a waltz of diabelli - a joke in
>almost every one, and some times evne more.  Why not the bagatelles? Why
>not explore the sonatas more closely, there is not a wasted note in the
>cello sonatas, early or late.

In particular the Bylesma Bilson performances of the cello sonatas are
breaths of fresh air.  I would add to Stirling's list the very early string
trios and the quirky opus 10 piano sonatas.

Professor Bernard Chasan
Physics Department, Boston University