This seventh album in the complete recording of Beethovens Piano Sonatas encompasses some of Beethovens most cheerful works in this genre. They were all written in what is known as his "first period", and they display a unique blend of virtuosity, brilliancy, grandiosity, humour, and also simplicity, depending on which one is considered. The twin "easy" Sonatas op. 49 are small gems conceived for pupils or amateurs, but with a particular beauty of their own. Op. 14 no. 1 is the only one which the composer himself transcribed for string quartet, bearing witness to his satisfaction with it. Both op. 7 and op. 22 were issued as "grandes sonates", due to their large size and imponent conception; in particular, op. 7 is the undisputed masterpiece of Beethovens early style.