Grigori Sokolov is one of the most sensational pianists who can still be heard live today. In principle he does not talk about program choice, but this time he let slip the following: “There are two rules. One: I only play what I particularly love. Two: one cannot play everything.” The 'suite BWV 814' is the third in the series of six 'French' suites that Bach (1685-1750) composed around 1723. There is little French about it, except perhaps for their basic dance scheme, which also applies to the English suites or the partitas. This French suite contains an 'anglaise'… 'Opus 31/2' by Beethoven (1770-1827), better known as the 'Storm Sonata', dates from the depressive period around 1800. The name refers to Beethoven's answer to the question of Schindler, how to understand this music. “Read Shakespeare's The Tempest!” he shouted with some sense of pathos. He gave the same answer in connection with the 'Appassionata', five sonatas later...
